Disclaimer: I do not own Berserk; this is only a fanfic.
Authors Notes: Hi everyone… new chapter up! It's not a long one, but I hope you like it.
Many thanks to my reviewers: Silver Spider and Swordman Beliefs. Please read enjoy and leave a review!
Chapter 4: The Immortal
The first and second unit of the Hawks lined the cliffs overlooking the castle. Thunder rolled and lightening streaked across the sky, as we watched the battle ensuing below. It had been at least three hours since Gutts and the Raiders had led the attack on Chuder's keep. Since that time, we had not heard one word on their progress.
"Message!!!"
We turned as a horse galloped into our midst. The rider dismounted and bowed on one knee in front of Griffith.
"We have successfully brought the enemy's castle under control!" he announced.
"And… the commander?" our leader inquired.
"We have not yet reached him, sir," the man answered and pushed up the visor on his helmet. "The Raiders, under Gutts command, are laying siege to the castles keep. But… due to one immensely powerful soldier, fighting with the enemy, we cannot clear a path."
"One soldier?" I asked perplexed. Was there such a man that could hold off the Raiders as well as their commander? Begrudgingly, I had to admit I found that unbelievable.
"Cut off by one soldier?" Corkus sniffed and then chuckled, finding some humor in the situation. "What a pathetic commander."
My comrade's smug attitude grated on my nerves, but I wondered what was going on down there. Turning to Griffith, I saw his eyes where glued to the chaos below and I was sure we were sharing the same thought.
"Zodd," Judeau whispered out of the blue.
"What was that?" Corkus and I turned to our comrade.
"It's something I heard about before we joined the war effort," the knife wielder went on to explain. "People say that Nosferatu Zodd sometimes fights among the enemy."
"Nosferatu…" I began, "You mean Zodd… the immortal?"
The men murmured amongst themselves at the very mention of the legendary man/beast. Some believed he actually existed, while others considered him a mythical creature created in the minds of battle weary soldiers.
"Who is he?" Pippin inquired. Although ignorant of the subject, the name alone was enough to spur interest from our normally silent comrade.
"Haven't you heard of him, Pippin?" Ricket gasped. At the blank look, the young boy explained. "Zodd is a well known and feared fighter among mercenaries. They say he has taken the heads of hundreds, no… thousands in battle, but that's not the only reason he is feared."
"It is said that he sometimes returns to battle after reportedly being killed in a previous one," the boy continued. "Believe it or not, he's been around for nearly a hundred years according to the accounts of his exploits."
"A hundred?" Pippin asked, which was a record number of words for him in one day.
"That's why he's called Nosferatu Zodd… the Immortal." Rickert said.
"Gimme a break!" Corkus scoffed. "You're not going to take that kind of fairy tale seriously; are you, Ricky boy? And… Pippin, I expected more from you." He turned to the silent giant.
"You don't know what you're talking about!" Rickert grew adamant. "Many mercenaries believe that he is the god of war."
"Okay, okay… whatever you say," Corkus said dismissively.
Following the exchange, I turned to Griffith. He had not spoken one word, but had listened intensely to Ricket's limited and somewhat inconceivable biography. Could this possibly be the same entity holding off the Raiders forces?
The sound of thunder rolled and the darkened sky lit up as lightening struck somewhere in the distance.
"I don't like the looks of this," Judeau said looking up, as if a premonition would reveal itself in the gray clouds overhead.
Griffith stared straight ahead, his blue eyes focused on the castles' keep. I knew, without a doubt, we were moving forward to assist our third squad. After all, Griffith could not allow anything happening to Gutts.
xXxXx
We arrived to a courtyard filled with bloody corpses. Bodies were strewn everywhere and the third squad had had their share of casualties. The remaining Raiders approached and hurriedly explained the situation.
It was as the messenger had said, there was indeed a solitary soldier holding off their forces. According to Gaston, the Raiders secondary, Gutts had entered the castle sometime ago, but no one had heard from him since. It was obvious they were gravely concerned about their commander. When asked why the unit did not accompany him, he was informed that their captain had ordered them to remain behind.
Gutts had also forbidden them to contact Griffith, stating that the first man that did so would lose his life. Therefore, they had no choice but stand by as their commander faced the solitary enemy alone.
"I'm going in." Griffith's announcement came suddenly. "The rest of you wait here," he instructed.
His words startled me. "But… but…" I tried to say something, but I… I just didn't know what to say.
"I'll go with you," Judeau volunteered and started to dismount.
"No," Griffith declined. He eyes were filled with determination as he said, "Don't worry, I will bring Gutts back."
Turning to the archery unit, he yelled, "Alright… let's move out!"
"Yes, sir!"
I sat in a daze and watched them enter the keep. I didn't want Griffith to go, but I what could I possibly say that would stop him. I was a soldier before I was a woman and feelings, especially mine, were meaningless on the battlefield.
Would Griffith feel as strongly if it were Judeau, Ricket or Pipin in there or… even me for that matter? Gutts was a soldier, just like the rest of us. Why was he so different… what was it about him that he had acquired special consideration from our leader.
Watching Griffith's silver mane disappear in the darkness, I felt the first stirrings of fear.
xXxXx
The wait was unbearable. We kept watch at the entrance, starring down the long, dark passageway into the castles' keep. The courtyard reeked with the stench of fresh blood, but the remaining 'Hawks' and I, stayed rooted to that spot.
"What the hell's going on in there?" I heard Corkus ask. "Griffith or someone should have been back by now."
"I wonder…" Gaston began and we all held our breath as he continued. "… if Zodd has already killed commander Gutts and… Sir Griffith by now."
"Don't talk nonsense, Gaston," young Ricket admonished. "It's not possible that those two were killed."
"So what's taking so long?" Pippin asked.
"What should we do Caska?" Judeau asked of me.
My every instinct, the very core of my feminine soul wanted to brave that domain of death, but I was a soldier and… as a soldier, I would heed my orders.
"We continue to wait," I said softly.
"Aren't you worried about them?" Judaeu snapped forcefully.
Of course I was, but I… just…
"Griffith ordered us to wait here," I said with as much authority as I could muster. As second in command, I had spoken and we would wait.
How deep were they in the bowels of that damnable place? We could not hear a sound from within, not one of battle nor the screams of death. As my hands tightened on the reigns of my horse, I noticed that my palms were perspiring.
I did not want to consider what could be happening in there. I wanted to believe that our leader would be all right. However, no matter what I wanted to believe, Griffith was only human. Although the others and I held him in awe, although he was an extraordinary figure, he was still just a man.
If it was this… Zodd inside, how could he possibly contend with such a legendary opponent? As my gaze turned once again to the darkened corridor, I thought of the strange pendant Griffith wore. It was a hideous looking thing, but he swore that it brought him luck and I hoped that proved true today.
Suddenly, there was a immense explosion of some sort, coming from inside. The walls of the keep rattled and the ground shook in its intensity.
"Griffith!!!" My mind screamed.
Without a word a word to the others, I jumped from my horse and fled into the darkness. I had to get to him… if anything happened to Grifffith…
Closing my eyes, I forced back tears and ran as if my life depended on it. Behind me I could hear Judeau shouting orders in my absence. I had deserted my post… relinquished my command, but none of that mattered now. I had to see him; I had to make sure that Griffith was still alive.
There seemed to be no end to this corridor, it reeked of death and it spurred me to run faster. No stranger to fallen comrades, it sickened me to see the destruction this beast had caused. Fear heightened the adrenaline pumping through my veins, as I followed the trail of the blood-splattered columns and I heard Judeau and the others close behind me.
There was a light ahead; we continued down the passageway and entered a huge chamber. Immediately, I noticed Gutts massive bulk struggling to stand, but where was Griffith?
And… then I saw him; he lay unconscious under one of the large pillars, his head set at an awkward angle. I ran to him and fell to my knees.
"Griffith… Griffith!" I shook him gently, trying to rouse him. "Hold on," I nearly sobbed. "Griffith, please hold on."
Cradling him in my arms, I heard the fall of heavy boots and a familiar gait. My body tensed as I sensed Gutts draw near and I felt him reach out.
"Get away!" I hissed. "Don't touch him… just leave him alone!"
My body shook with a mixture of fear, rage and resentment. Fear - because although his heart beat steadily, Griffith was not responding. Rage - because his concern was so great for one man, that he was willing to risk his life to save him and finally… resentment for the only man ever bequeathed that honor.
"It's all your fault," I said, my anger building. "You put Griffith in danger… you almost got him killed."
It was always Gutts… everything was about Gutts. Every mission, assignment and reconnaissance included him. He was Griffith's right hand, his confidante and was always on the forefront. Not only did Gutts protect Griffith, but Griffith also protected Gutts.
It was then… at that exact moment, that I knew that I hated Gutts. As I turned to him, I was unaware that my dark eyes burned with and reflected my feelings. With tears streaming down my cheeks, I shouted in anguish…
"Griffith could have been killed and it's all because of you!"
xXxXx
Sitting outside the infirmary, Judeau, Pippin, Ricket, Corkus and I waited while the nobles visited our leader. While medical personnel were dispatched to tents to heal our wounded, Griffith had been brought here with the king's own aids attending him.
There was much speculation as to whether Gutts and Griffith had actually encountered a monster in their last battle. Although the 'Hawks' were successful in conquering Chuder's keep, some say the mention of a monster was an explanation to account for the number of causalities suffered. Only the two survivors, Griffith and Gutts, knew the truth.
As the nobility were about, the other 'Hawks' and I were not allowed in the infirmary. It was very demeaning, but we all knew our place and would have to wait. Only a few months ago, we would have been unable to even grace the courtyard.
Hearing someone approach, I looked up to find Gutts hobbling towards us. Due to his injuries, the dark warrior walked with a crutch for support. Although severely wounded, he had made a miraculous recovery.
"Gutts!" Ricket exclaimed. "Are you well enough to walk?"
"I'm fine," he responded to our small comrade and then his gaze turned to me.
God… how I despised him. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for him and Griffith wouldn't be injured. I had nothing to say to him; the man was a walking catastrophe and I turned away from his probing gaze.
"Forget about it," I heard Judeau say to Gutts. "No one blames you. Caska only said those things because she was frantic at the time, you know how she is."
I said those things because I meant them, I said to myself. Judeau may have felt the need to apologize on my behalf, but I, personally, was not going to.
"Well… what are you all doing here," Gutts asked.
"We wanted to visit Griffith," Ricket began.
"But… we're not allowed," Judeau continued. "He has visitors already." He shoved a thumb in the direction of the infirmary entrance. "Ministers, bishops and other big shots of the royal court have come to pay their respects. The world is as kind as it is cruel, so to speak," he added sarcastically. "Most of the senior statesmen despise Griffith and regard him as some upstart mercenary commoner," Judeau went on to say. "While others try to gain his favor to secure their future in the court."
"Oh… I get it," Gutts murmured.
He was a bit slow on the uptake, I snorted. The majority of the 'Hawks' already knew this; however, only Judeau could express it so thoroughly. And then… there were the ones like Corkus, who in pursuit of his own fame through Griffith, was in complete and utter denial.
"Maybe we've been taking it for granted, but Griffith has been invincible so far," Judeau continued. "Basically, he's the leader of the strongest unit in Midland's army."
"Hmmm," I heard Gutts growl. "That's it," he stated and my head whipped around. I had heard that tone before.
"Wait, Gutts," Judeau exclaimed in alarm. "Where are you going?"
I stood just as he mounted the stairs. I knew it… he was going off half-cocked as usual. If he dared…
"Wait!" I called out and he stopped and turned to me. "You weren't listening, were you?" I asked.
"Yes-I-was," he emphasized. "So what?"
"So what?" I reiterated angrily. "Don't give me that. I'm telling you to wait right here until Griffith finishes receiving his guests."
"I don't give a damn about protocol," he smirked at me. "I'm going to visit my friend."
"Gutts!" I warned.
"You wait here," he threw over his shoulder and turned back to hobble up the stairs.
Before I could react, the two guards had accessed the situation and had moved forward, denying him entrance. However, I should have known even the castle guards could not detain him. With a few basic maneuvers, Gutts had them both rolling down the stairs and landing in a heap at the bottom.
Damn… he was an embarrassment, I gritted my teeth in frustration. Judeau and Ricket looked mortified. Corkus was enjoying this, seeing Gutts make an ass of himself and, as usual, Pippin was hard to read. I didn't want to even stop and consider the nobles inside.
"Hey, Ricket," Gutts addressed the youngster. "You want to pay Griffith a visit?"
"N-no, t-that's alright," the boy stuttered and held his hands up in mock surrender. "I'll wait."
"Well… suit yourself," he smirked and turned back to the infantry entrance. "Hey, Griffi…"
My hand on his shoulder interrupted him. I had had enough of him; if he continued unchecked, he could destroy everything that Griffith had worked so hard to obtain. The Neanderthal… his brain must truly be the size of a pea.
"Haven't you guys had enough?" He turned angrily, thinking the guards had returned. On seeing me, his eyes grew wide.
As I drew back my arm, I thought of everything he had put me through the past three years. From his blatant disregard for orders to his recklessness that endangered others; everything I felt gathered into my fist, as it flew forward and smashed into his jaw.
Gutts stumbled back, fell into the wall and then slid to the ground. I had dazed him… that was good, I thought and moved forward. I watched him shake his head to orient himself and wipe a hand across his jaw to lessen the effects of the blow. Pulling himself up on one knee, he lifted his head and those dark eyes spoke volumes.
"What the hell is you're problem?!" he yelled and then, he grew silent as he looked up at me.
Damn, I was crying again. This was the second time I had cried in front of this idiot. Normally, I had more control; I just didn't understand.
"Why?" My voice trembled. "Why does it always come down to this?" Why had Griffith chosen him? What did he have that Judeau, the other 'Hawks' or I lacked? And… finally…
"In spite of it all," I whispered, where only his ears could hear. "Why does Griffith value you so much?"
There… I had said it and it could not be retracted. Standing there, the tears were streaming down my face, but could not stop them and I did not brush them away. I was oblivious to Gutts, picking up his crutch and limping off. The last thing I remembered before walking off in the opposite direction was Rickets words.
"I think I know what Gutts is feeling," the boy said. "Griffith has been unapproachable lately; it's like… he's almost a complete stranger to us."
As I headed out of the courtyard, I realized how true the child's words were.
To be continued…