(3rd Person) P.O.V

"Have you heard of the one they call... Griffith?"

"Indeed I have. He's been the talk of the Kingdom for weeks to come now. It's impossible to not have heard of him by now I'd say."

Whispering nobles some five to six discussed their newly come news under the pillars of the very castle of Midland themselves. It was morning, the sun rising in the background of the castle as they chatted away. Long creased, sagged faces or beards layed upon their face as another spoke of the mornin's news.

"Atleast that thief who robbed those poor gentlemen's manors has stopped their crime. The King should double patrols at night to make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Yes, I agree. But, back to the commoners matter, Sir Griffith is...and always will be just a commoner, no matter how high a rank he is."

"I find it most upsetting that the King would even think of Knighting such a low classed mercenary band leader."

"But, the Hawks have been a great help on the battlefield and thanks to them we have not suffered a single defeat."

"Kh, they are still common mercenaries. Their loyalty is bought and sold."

"True. When these times of war pass, men like them will turn to banditry. It's outrageous to bestow such an honor upon a plebeian. Imagine if he were to Knight all the of the common mercenaries under Griffith's lead. Dear God."

"But, might I add, we must take heed in the way we utilize them. Who knows what the consequences will be? But alas, without the Band of the Hawk, I fear Tudor's forces would be knocking at our gates."

"Hm. Perhaps his majesty is not acting so rashly after all."

"Impossible. You can't be serious?"

"Indeed. The thought of raising a commoner to peerage?"

"If nothing else, it is most irregular of his majesty."

"There's more. I heard the Band of the Hawk will take up the vanguard in the war effort."

"That honor is for Count Julius and his White Dragon Knights..."

"Ahem...he's...being relieved." The male whispered under his breath. "Most likely because his ransom was too great after Tudor took him prisoner. Is it not?" The elder noble as well as the others quickly shut their tight lips upon General Julius to walk past them.

The General's slightly long blonde locks resting on his silver royal armor, adorned by a blue cape to symbolize his Kingdom scoffed under his breath with every step of his boots.

"Kh."

The castle siege the Hawks currently preoccupied themselves in was no normal mission.

"Sir, the enemy count is dead." A soldier confirmed next to Griffith. "Guts and his raiders are inside mopping up the stragglers now I believe."

Casca awaited on her horse, pursing her lip as her short locks blew in the wind.

"Hmm, why is this taking so long? This shouldn't be a problem for Captain Guts." Casca questioned, making Griffith turn his head slightly in her direction.

Indeed, Guts shouldn't have taken this long, but Griffith continued to face forward, staring to the walls of the castle awaiting news. The wind blew slightly as he stood perched upon his white armored horse, his company including Casca's was right behind him.

(Your name) however, was on the other side, watching guard to make sure if Guts needed back up, or not. Her and her bowmen were standing by watching Guts and his men on the far side of the castle.

"What the hell is he doing? His men haven't came out yet. Right? I'm not the only one who didn't see them emerge out, correct?" (Your name) asked as Edwin nodded.

"You're right Captain, none of Guts' raiders emerged out since they last went in."

"I wonder what the hell is going on. If he needs back up, he knows we're right here." (Your name) spoke irritated.

It had been a week or so until after her recovery that she got her voice back. Although to strain it again with yells and orders didn't do anything good either. Her ankle, to her dismay was still sore and a bit bruised, but that didn't stop her from battling and directing her men.

Not unless she willingly couldn't walk anymore.

She watched practically Guts strangle Gaston, but it wasn't her duty to go down unless told to by Guts or Griffith. She waited, still scouting the area with her sharp eyes.

Guts was at the entrance to the castle, glaring daggers to his underling as the door infront of him looked ripped open, wood falling on pieces as some metal strapping were somehow ripped as well, giving it an ominous look.

Guts growled.

"Why didn't you report to me sooner?" He grit out as Guts' men grabbed his arms, pulling him away from Gaston in a futil fashion.

Gaston spoke shakily, trying in any fashion to calm his Captain.

"Ah- You see, someone talked about checking out some treasure deep inside the castle. But then-"

"-Yeah Captain, it was real quiet until the screaming started." Another added, holding Guts' bicep to try to restrain him.

There was some three to four men trying to hold him back.

"-Then no one came back." Gaston finished as Guts tried to lunge forward again. He grunted, trying to move without hurting his men.

"Look, they're my men! Let go of me Gaston!"

"Captain, atleast call (Your name) or Commander Griffith for some reinforcements!" Gaston tried to manage as Guts grabbed his helmet, yanking Gaston forward.

"Contact Griffith or (Your name) and you're dead." Letting go of Gaston's helmet, he walked now towards the entrance of the castle.

An attitude displayed on his unkind features as he unsheathed his greatsword on his back.

"Captain! You can't!"

"No one follows me!" Guts ordered, sliding down his helmet's front to prepare himself as he walked forward through the torn opening.

His long red cape swaying behind him as the stench of death filled his nostrils. Guts' eyes roamed the tunnel he was walking through, blood splattered on walls, floors, dead enemy soldiers layed in piles more as Guts kept a straight face.

The torch illuminated tunnel started to expand, making it into a wider cement room with pillars as he saw now his own men lay on the ground, blood seeping from their torso as some of their eyes remained open forever.

Feeling the atmosphere suddenly change, Guts exhaled, seeing his own breath within the air. He gripped his sword with one hand, ready for anything. Walking down the steps, his boot stepped mistakenly on a pool of blood, his eyes trailing to see what the blood was originating from.

His brown eyes widened, seeing the discarded and torn bodies of his men and others, all scattered throughout the floor, blood stained pillars, walls, pools of blood and limbs adorned the floor in all places.

Guts couldn't believe his eyes, his heart rate speeding up immensely tenfold for him to wonder what possible being could have done this to his men?

"What the hell happened to them?" He observed closely, organ trails dripping from a torso, missing heads of his own men whose bodies lay discarded and mutilated forever.

Hearing a sudden scream pierce his ears, Guts without thinking further ran, he ran, sprinting, whizzing through the torch lighten pillars to find where that sound originated from.

He looked right, then left, trying to see any sort of enemy soldiers, survivors, but none could be spotted.

Now coming across a bonfire, Guts' eyes remained as wide as saucers to see his soldier being impaled by a thick sword, wielded by a muscular being. The thing stood tall, no type of article of clothing layed on it's green skin. All naked, for all to see. The being was illuminated by the bonfire and nearby torches as it slightly turned it's body, sensing Guts' arrival.

Guts, seeing the thing still didn't waver the fierce anger he currently felt. It was an open mouth state he was in to see the giant troll like thing stab his men and hold him up like some trophy. But, taking another look at it, Guts saw it now as another brute enemy that's very much liable for take down. Now clenching his teeth together, he dashed forward as the monster's yellow shining eyes glowed more alarmingly. Turning quickly, the monster threw the discarded soldier from his thick sword to Guts' way in a most disrespectful manner. Guts dodged, readying his sword to strike as in one swing of the beasts blade did Guts go flying a few paces back.

"Gah-" Guts groaned, landing hard as he sat up achingly. "What the hell?" He breathed, watching the monster stare with it's sword in hand to Guts. "What...what is that?"

"Nosferatu...Zodd?" Griffith questioned Judeau whom was behind the Commander on his horse.

"There's a rumor that Zodd sometimes fights alongside the enemy's lines." Judeau finished as Rickert spoke up.

"Did you say Zodd? You nean that legendary warrior?"

The boy was surprised to hear of that rumor again, his voice a bit more quaky as Corkus spoke next.

"Yeah. He's taken the heads of hundreds, sometimes thousands in battle."

"However, that is not the only reason he is feared. According to accounts of his exploits, he's been around for over two-hundred years. I...believe his last seeing was here...this exact castle." Judeau's green-blue eyes looked up to the castle walls. The chilled wind blowing across them as the clouds did nothing but darken atmosphere.

Griffith watched Judeau speak, his face unchanging and resting as he took in the vile information.

"Two-hundred years?"

"Yes, and that is why people call him Nosferatu Zodd."

"He's...he's strong." Guts layed on his knees, trying his hardest to summon his strength once again from being thrown across the room more than four times. Pants escaped his lips as he stood, looking up to the beast. "Too strong."

The beast looked to Guts, standing tall and defiantly. His yellow shinning eyes observed the swordsman mockingly.

"That was very impressive." The monster raised it's blade, pointing to Guts daringly. It's biceps flexing under the torches light. "You were able to withstand my attacks successfully."

Guts held his sword now with two hands, his stance firm as his brown eyes never dared to look away from this opponent. He grit his teeth, new scars slightly adorned his flesh from being thrown earlier.

The swords, being evenly matched stayed pointed to eachother as the beast chuckled, interested in his new rival.

All at once did the two swing to each other so fast and hard simultaneously. In the next second, the monsters sword split in two, with Guts' force knocking it out of the beast's grasp.

Now leaving an open attack for now Guts to strike down on the beast's shoulder, he wailed down hard into the green flesh, cutting deeply.

Exhaling sharply, blood poured in chunks and streams down the monster's wounded shoulder as Guts lodged his sword deeper into it's muscle trying in any way to kill it with this single strike.

Guts had wide eyes, seeing as how the beast failed to fall and collapse, even with the obvious blood loss.

"What..."

"You aim to sunder my sword. " The hilt of the monsters broken weapon fell in his pool of blood as he reached up, grabbing Guts' sword from his wounded bleeding shoulder. "This is the first time I have ever been so deeply cut from a blade wielded by a mere human."

The monster, now seemingly growing in double size, stood above Guts as his skin started to morph within his own very eyes.

A dark mist suddenly engulfed the room, thick and smokey as within the fog did the monster morph into something greater than his last form.

"To feel like this again." The beast's voice formed even deeper than before, louder, echoing within the base of Guts' eardrum and bouncing off the walls of the room they were in. "To fight an opponent like you. This... is what I've been waiting for. I have soldiered for three-hundred years to meet someone like you!"

A roar was then mustered, it's whole giant claw holding Guts' sword firm like a tooth-pick. The mist, within the mighty roar cleared the room, making Guts' sight more visible to see a fist coming down ontop of him.

"Arghh!"

Rolling out of it's way, Guts landed on his hands and knees as his helmet flew off. Pieces of the building went flying with the beast going wild as dust started to form slightly in the room from it's brute hits to the wall.

"It's...impossible!" Guts breathed, looking up to the incomprehensible monster before his very eyes.

(Your name's) P.O.V

It had been more than ten minutes since Guts went in. His men were hustling about, panicking as I clicked my tongue.

"What is it Captain?" Edwin asked, coming more to my side on his horse as I shook my head, watching the castle.

I clicked my tongue.

"Come on. Guts has been in there long enough, orders or not, I'm going in." Grabbing the reings of my horse, I lightly whipped it, ushering my horse forward as my companions followed right behind.

"We're moving in?" One soldier asked as Edwin looked back to the said man. I stayed alerted, my eyes roaming to the area before me cautiously.

"On Captain's orders yes,-"

A sudden roar, catching all of us off guard made it's way to quake within our ears as my eyes widened, looking to the castle's building quake a bit. Guts' men bellow freaked as much as I and the rest if my mine did.

I saw Gaston below, wide eyed and staring to the castle.

"D-did you hear that?!"

"Hell yeah we did...what the hell was that?"

"It's-it's Zodd!"

"Zodd?!"

My men freaked out as I turned, looking to Edwin.

"Get them in order."

"Yes ma'am." Edwin, cleared his throat, turning to our companions as we guided down to Guts' men. Our horses moved a bit out of freight, probably scared out of their wits as Edwin spoke. "Men, keep it together! Steady our formation!"

As I approached Guts' men, they were quick to ask why I was advancing.

"What's going on?" One asked, wanting to know the plan or any course of action.

"Captain Guts has taken long enough. I'm moving in after him. You men go and accompany Griffith on his orders, Gaston-" I called as he turned to me. His eyes held fear, or maybe they were a reflection of my own.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Tell Griffith to move in. Tell him all that has happened, and see to it that you follow his orders." I spoke as he nodded continuosly, realizing we were going to have to go in now with or without Guts' consent.

"Yes ma'am I will." He responded.

"-Also, someone needs to watch our horses." I added getting off of mine as my company did as well. Looking to nearby posts, I guided my horse to it to tie him down for a bit.

"I'll do it." A man under Guts' command came forth as my men tied up theit horses as well to sone discarded post.

"Thankyou."

The soldier nodded, now standing by the said horses as I walked back to Gaston.

"Be quick." I looked him in the eyes as he seemed to be having an internal battle.

Maybe he feels guilty for letting Guts into this place.

"Yes, I will." He responded, turning quickly to go.

"My squad, we're moving in!" I unsheathed my sword, raising it as I went forward into the entrance.

My men yelled, raising their own presumed swords or weaponry with a new found courage to save my friend.

"Let's get Captain Guts!"

"We gotta move fast!"

"My bowmen, ready your crossbows!" I ordered, now walking into the dusty trenches of the entrance to this castle.

Getting in the appropriate line, I watched the dust settle upon the ground, the sounds of our armored shoes trodding on the cobblestone path or small puddles elongated in the hall.

As we approached another musk ridden dark hall, our eyes feasted upon what was now left of Guts' men.

"Oh God..."

"Shit..."

They all looked like they were scared shitless, hands tightened on their sword hilts, breathing fast and unregulated for fear of what could have done to them. I was even speechless, looking to the torn pieces of body parts upon the walls and floors.

"What...the hell..." Edwin covered his mouth, the stench of blood, organs, and entrails all hitting our noses as I tried to hold in a gag, the smell getting stronger by the second.

"Keep moving." I ordered, trying to steer my men's attention away. But, little did I even know, my hands were shaking by the very second I walked further.

What's going to happen?...

We walked further, some few minutes later. The torches were a lit so we could see our way.

"Edwin, as soon as we see the enemy, have my men stay back into the third formation to shoot them."

I gave him these orders because, as soon as I see Guts, I'm going straight after him. I don't care what happens.

"Yes ma'am I willm" Edwin responded next to me, holding up his crossbow.

"(Your name)." My name being called quickly made me turn my head to see Griffith being the origin of the voice.

Shit...am I in trouble?

Jogging to me, I saw his men stay behind as him as Casca also was also jogging now too.

"Follow on my lead." Griffith spoke, his stern blue eyes now even more serious than ever as I nodded.

"My men, behind Griffith. Now." I spoke as we filed in, following the said prestine leader.

I'm glad I got Gaston to alert Griffith but it's almost like he was on his way here already. He came really fast.

(3rd Person) P.O.V

The monster roared, going closer to Guts to try to stomp on him, as in return Guts ran for cover as if hell itself was on his tail.

He ran, looking back slightly to see the beast hitting pillars down out of pure madness and anger.

"There's no way a monster like this could exist..." he breathed, his cape flowing behind him as he pushed himself to keep running.

The beast hit the ground in madness, making the very floor quake.

"FIGHT ME!" He deeply roared, using his tail to try to slap Guts' body from scurrying away, inevitably missing.

"DO NOT DISAPPOINT ME!" Guts was now behind a pillar, panting, sweat dripping down his cheek as he tried to look back only to see the thing come forth to ram it's head into the pillar.

In that instant, Guts rolled once again, but the force of the beast's hit and him throwing himself caused his body to uncontrollably fly in the wrong way. His torso, once he landed, hit a pillar hard as he layed, basking in his pain.

He groaned heavily.

He was on his stomach, abruptly coughing, Guts spewed a flew drops of blood from his probable bleeding internal organs. The distant and speed in which he flew earlier really took a toll on his body.

"Gaghh..." he choked, spitting to the ground as he was on his hands and knees now, looking to the pile of blood just under him.

The monster, looking down upon Guts like some insignificant bug approached, step by agonizing step as he breathed.

"Giving up already? Is this the limit to your strength?" The beast growled, it's crimson eyes staring to the wounded man below him as he bared his teeth. "Well, so be it."

Reaching down, the monster within it's tight claw like grasp, picked up Guts like a worm, observing the very human which managed to get this far.

"I suppose you've done admirably for a mere human."

Arrows, suddenly being pelted to Zodd's back now exhorted a deep roar at both the disruption and pain others dare try to make upon him.

"I-is that Zodd?"

"What the flying hell..."

"Mother of God."

"Stay focused!" Griffith shouted to his men, standing in a formation. "Second volley!" He commanded as his bowmen shot, making Zodd's hold on Guts faulter.

Guts inevitably fell to the harsh ground, landing hard.

On the other side, (your name) stood with her men, her eyes widened to see Guts on the floor from the fall.

"Guts!" She shouted, running forth to the monster as Edwin took control of her men.

"Hurry, we must distract the beast! First volley, ready your bows!" He commanded as they all at once got their arrows aflame by the torches some soldiers held. "Fire!" He shouted as the fired arrows now shot to Zodd's left side.

A roar reverbrated from the throat of the monster, drawing it's attention to Griffith's men as it appraoched.

"Inexcusable! I will forgive no one who interrupts our fight!" Zodd growled as Griffith's men used their spears to aim to Zodd's approach.

(Your name), running as fast as she could accompanied Guts' side now, wrapping his arm over the back of her neck as he groaned, looking up to her.

"(Y-your name)?" He questioned, seeing his friend try her hardest to lift him up.

"Come on! We gotta get outta here!" She hurriedly spoke, seeing Zodd push Griffith's men away like swatting flies from a lantern.

Seeing Zodd turn back to her, (your name's) heart nearly dropped at the depth of those blood red eyes stare.

"Leave (Your name)!" Guts yelled, dropping back to the ground as (your name) stepped back, taking out her bow to aim to Zodd's eye.

Griffith's men tried slicing Zodd's legs or even tail only to be flung to a nearby pillar or wall. Bones probably broken as (your name's) breath hitched.

Now started to run in an opposite direction, she aimed at the same time, letting go of her arrow for it to be pelted into Zodd's tongue when his mouth was agape.

"ARGGHHHHHH!" A yell echoed throughout the room. Zodd, now spitting the arrow out as if it was a mere tooth-pick looked to (your name).

Men scattered all around Zodd's area as he stomped on two, picking up another soldier to rip him apart as if he was nothing.

Screams, all nothing but screams were heard. Commander Casca stood wide eyed in the back as Griffith's eyes now landed upon Guts.

"Casca, I want you all to pull back." He said, putting his arm infront of her to make her stay.

"Griffith?!" She shouted, seeing him run to the side to reach Guts as (your name) kept Zodd distracted with her clean positioned skill of her arrows.

"What's he doing?!" Casca freaked, looking to see Griffith try his best to pick Guts up.

"CASCA! EDWIN! YOU ALL GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE!" (Your name) warned, shooting now three arrows to Zodd's knees and thighs to try to make the beast fall.

Casca backed up, as well as Edwin as (your name's) men to retreat.

"Guts!" Grffith exclaimed, picking the brute male up to wrap his arm over his shoulder.

"Nghh, idiot. Just like her." Guts groaned, now on his feet. "Gaghh-" Guts held on his pain of his torso, trying his hardest to stand. "Why'd you come?" He groaned.

"You can complain all you like after we escape from that monster." Griffith's eyes noticed Guts' bleeding head, seeing the blood seep down, his eyes now averted back up to see Zodd trying his hardest to squash (your name).

She rolled, now going behind a pillar panting as she felt on her back she only had two arrows left. There was no way she would be able to fight short distanced with this beast, but she would, she concluded, for Guts and Griffith's sake.

"Fight me! You must fight me until your bodies are torn apart!"

Zodd turned, looking back to see Griffith and Guts together.

"Griffith!" Casca yelled, trying to run only to be held back by Judeau. He yanked her, another soldier holding her other arm in place as she watched Zodd approach the two men.

"Can you move?" Griffith asked, staring to the monster approaching.

"I'll die if I don't." Guts stood, holding his sword in his hand as Griffith readied himself as well.

"Then you take the left. Go!" He shouted, both men sprinting now forward to Zodd's body.

"HARRRGHHH!" Zodd roared, punching the very ground where Griffith once was to miss.

Griffth and Guts' sword at that opportunity sliced Zodd's sides, damaging both the right and the left deeply as the monster screamed in pain.

Looking back, he used his tail to forcefully hit Guts' body to the ground harshly.

"Guts! We have to run!" Griffith exclaimed, appraoched the fallen man only to be next hit with Zodd's tail, sending him flying to an opposite pillar.

(Your name) was out, aiming her bow with one eye closed to try to focus. Her heartbeat was erratic, her hands shaking as sweat beaded down her cheek. Now letting go of her arrow, she successfully pierced Zodd's left eye, a roar emitting from the jaws of the monster itself.

Now looking to the women, Zodd reached to her for (your name) to quickly unsheathe her sword, slicing Zodd's palm as he now used his other hand to make her body go flying to a wall.

Gasps and cries of pain emulated from the dark room, (your name) trying to find her breath as Guts was on the floor trying to stand. Griffith lay unconscious besides the pillar, his helmet off as his hair was now framing his face.

"Amazing. I found two men and one women who were able to wound me. What a shame, I'll have to destroy them all at once." Zodd growled, turning to his closest victim.

Griffith.

Now standing with the last of his strength, Guts panted harshly, blood seeping frim his head down his temple as he looked, seeing Zodd's vision focused on Griffith.

"STOP!" He panted, gripping his sword as he watched Zodd turn back to face Guts. "Don't touch him!"

Now turning back to Griffith, Zodd approached, raising his fist.

"Farewell human! Take your last breath!" As Zodd raised his clawed fist, Griffith's head, with the slight rock of the ground below him caused his head to turn slightly, making his necklace visible to Zodd.

Zodd, out of pure surpise exhaled quickly, lowering his fist.

"This...cannot be! The Egg of the King! A man like this possesses the Crimson Behelit?!"

Guts readied his sword, scratches being bled down his neck as Griffith's men stood back, watching the beast laugh.

Zodd chuckled, staring down to Griffith as he layed unconscious.

"So that's their ploy."

Guts grit his teeth, looking back to see (Your name) trying her hardest to stand.

Abruptly, causing everyone to gasp, Zodd punched the ceiling once, making the very roof collapse around him as he looked back to Guts.

"Hehe...human, I will leave you with this bit of advice or rather, I will foretell your doom. If you believe this man to be a true friend, and if you regard him as a brother, then know this-" The air mixed around as wings now seemingly from no where stretched to appear on Zodd's back, the wind causing everyone to shield their eyes.

"-when this man's ambition crumbles is when you will face your death! A death you can never escape!" Finished with his words, Zodd now flew up to which the gaping hole he made, leaving the scene all at once.

(Your name's) eyes barely could stay open. Her body swaying as she had intense blood loss on her wounds of her back.

"(Your name)!" Judeau exclaimed, running forth to catch her before she fell to the ground.

She layed now unconscious in his arms, her chest heaving as he picked her up, carrying her to somewhere safer.

"I need someone to help me take her armor off!" Judeau exclaimed seeing blood on (your name's) body. He needed to find the origin of her wound and pressurize it immediately.

Zodd flying away from the castle high above now soared to wherever he wished to go. Now being spotted by Rickert, Pippin, and Corkus, their mouths were agape along with the other soldiers who were told to stay back out of the castle to make sure no enemy invades.

"What the hell was that?!" Corkus exclaimed, seeing the thing fly so fast and away in the distant as other men around them gasped.

"A demon?" Rickert breathed, watching the monster fly as his mouth was agape with both awe and fear.

"What the hell?..." Guts breathed, taking in Zodd's words as the moon light now creeped in to illuminate the building. He stood, staring to the hole in which Zodd made to escape just a moment ago. "What was that about?...A true friend?...My death?" Guts grit his teeth, leaning on his sword for support. "I don't get it. What does it mean?-"

"GRIFFITH!" Casca's voice echoed, running to his side to pick up his head and lay it on her lap. "Speak to me!" She cried, making Guts turn to look in her direction. Now trying his hardest to get to Griffith's side, he limped over, being helped by his own men to approach.

"Griffith!" Guts exclaimed, now coming back to reality. "(Your name)!" Guts looked back, seeing Judeau carry (your name) bridal style. Her helmet off as her head layed back against Judeau's arm. Her (h/c) (h/l) hair against Judeau as his eyes downcasted.

Seeing her in Judeau's arms, Guts looked back to Griffith, fear invoked, sorrowful, confused.

His chestnut eyes landed upon the white haired male, laying on Casca's lap.

"Griffith! Are you all right?!"

"Keep away!" Casca looked back, tears streaming down her eyes dramatically as she weeped over Griffith's unconscious body. "This is all your fault! You put Griffith in danger and almost got him killed!

Hate filled her brown orbs as Guts stared to those tear filled eyes.

"It's because of you!"

Guts then took this moment to look around, seeing wounded, dead, hurt, pain filled men all around as even (your name) was being protected by her own men.

No words escaped his mouth, for the feelings he felt now were all but confusion and loss.