The Eclipse Event
The night ambition consumed humanity, turning brothers into monsters and a dreamer into a god.
The Eclipse is the pivotal, traumatic event that shatters the Golden Age and marks the beginning of Guts' solitary journey as a wanderer. It occurs when Griffith, having been tortured and maimed by his captors, regains his ambition at the cost of his humanity, offering the lives of his entire Band of the Hawk to the God Hand in exchange for resurrection and a kingdom. This ritual transforms the once-loyal comrades into monstrous apostles and casts Guts as the sole survivor destined for an eternal nightmare.
- Key Figure
- Griffith (Femto)
- Location
- A remote forest clearing near Falconia
- Participants
- The Band of the Hawk, The God Hand, Casca, Guts
- Outcome
- Transformation of Apostles; Death of the Band
- Catalyst
- Griffith's sacrifice of his comrades
- Status
- Completed event with ongoing consequences
Lore & Background
The ritual unfolds under a blood-red moon that eclipses the sun, casting a supernatural shadow over the forest. As the Band of the Hawk is summoned for what they believe is a rescue mission, they are instead trapped in a circle of hellish fire. One by one, they are transformed into grotesque apostles and devoured or killed, their loyalty twisted into a nightmare. Casca, Guts' beloved companion, is violated by Femto—the new form of Griffith—before being driven insane by the horror, leaving Guts to watch helplessly as his world burns.
In Their Own Story
The air tasted of copper and ash as the sky turned the color of a fresh wound. Shadows lengthened unnaturally, stretching from the trees like grasping fingers to pull the Hawks into a circle of fire that burned without heat. Guts screamed for them to run, but their eyes were already glazed with a terrifying reverence. In the center stood Griffith, no longer the man he knew, but a pale, winged entity radiating an aura of cold divinity. The screams of his brothers and sisters did not stop; they changed pitch, becoming guttural roars as flesh warped into bone and scale. Guts fell to his knees, clutching his sword, watching as the only family he had ever known was offered up on a altar of blood.
Reader's Guide
The Eclipse arc serves as the climax of the Golden Age narrative, transitioning from a story of camaraderie to one of survival and vengeance. It begins with the capture of Griffith by Falconian forces, leading to his imprisonment and brutal torture which leaves him physically broken but mentally resolved. The turning point arrives when the God Hand intervenes, offering Griffith the chance to regain his body and kingdom if he sacrifices his band. The ritual commences under a supernatural eclipse, trapping the Band in a circle of fire where they are systematically transformed into apostles. Guts attempts to intervene with his sword but is powerless against divine magic. The emotional core shatters when Casca is violated by Femto, breaking her mind and severing her connection to reality. The aftermath sees the destruction of the Band, leaving only Guts alive as a cursed survivor. This event forces him into a life of wandering, hunted by apostles and plagued by visions, while carrying the broken Casca. It establishes the central conflict of the series: Guts' struggle against fate and his quest to kill Griffith.
Did You Know?
- The Eclipse is triggered specifically when Griffith's desire for a kingdom outweighs his love for his comrades.
- Guts survives the initial slaughter because he was not present in the circle when the ritual fully commenced, though he is later branded.
- Casca's mental state collapses immediately after the event due to witnessing her friends' deaths and her own violation by Griffith.
- The brand of sacrifice placed on Guts' neck during this event attracts apostles whenever his bloodlust rises or night falls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What occurs during the Eclipse event in Berserk?
This ritual involves Griffith offering his entire Band of the Hawk as a sacrifice to the God Hand in exchange for resurrection and a kingdom. The ceremony transforms the majority of the group into apostles while branding Guts with a mark that attracts demons.
Who is responsible for triggering the Eclipse?
Griffith initiates the event after his physical maiming, choosing to abandon his humanity to fulfill his ambition and ascend as Femto. His betrayal shatters the bonds of loyalty within the group and leads directly to their destruction.
What is the fate of Guts and Casca during this night?
Both survive the initial massacre, but Guts loses an arm while trying to protect a traumatized Casca from Griffith’s assault. The trauma leaves Casca mentally broken and drives Guts into his path as a wandering mercenary fighting demons.
Why is the Eclipse pivotal to the overall story?
It marks the definitive end of the Golden Age arc and transitions the series into a darker tone focused on survival and vengeance. The event establishes the central conflict between human free will and the predetermined destiny imposed by the God Hand.
Does Griffith survive the Eclipse ritual?
Yes, he is resurrected as Femto, the fifth member of the God Hand, gaining immense supernatural power at the cost of his former humanity. His ascension solidifies him as the primary antagonist driving Guts’ journey throughout the rest of the narrative.
More in Story Arcs & Timeline
Elsewhere in the Berserk universe
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