Two years had passed since the tragic eclipse, a haunting event that had shattered Guts’ world. It was a time when he lost everything—his loyal companions, his lover, and his sense of purpose—taken from him by none other than Griffith, once his closest friend. The betrayal still burned like an open wound, a scar that would never heal. In the time since, Guts had only known war, bloodshed, and relentless battles against the demonic forces drawn to the brand on his neck. His sword had become an extension of his body, an instrument of vengeance, and the weight of his past pushed him forward, dragging him through a world now defined by loss. Tonight, he had just slain another group of demons—creatures of nightmare summoned by the dark mark that had branded him since that fateful day. The bodies of his enemies lay scattered around him in the moonlit gloom.

Now, he was alone, wandering through the forest, the heavy cloak draped over his head and shoulders like a shroud. The dense trees around him seemed to close in as though the very forest was alive, a dark, oppressive force that mirrored his thoughts. The storm that raged above only added to the sense of unease, with howling winds and the occasional crack of thunder. There was an eerie silence that hung between the roars of the tempest, and Guts couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. His instincts, sharpened over years of fighting, screamed at him that he wasn’t alone.

Slowly, his hand moved to the hilt of his massive sword, the unmistakable sound of steel scraping against its sheath resonating through the stillness. His one good eye narrowed, scanning the distance through the jagged trees. Then, he heard it—something faint but distinct—a rustling in the shadows, a movement just out of sight. Guts tensed, his grip tightening on the sword as he spoke in a voice as cold and unforgiving as ice.

"Show yourself."

His words were not a threat; they were a promise. He had already fought too many battles and lost too much to let anything stand in his way now. The storm raged on, but the stillness between him and the unseen threat grew.