Alright, let’s talk about one of the Berserk universe’s most iconic objects: the Behelit. The first time I saw it, I thought it was just some creepy, face-shaped trinket, but no—turns out, it’s way more than that. It’s a literal gateway to hellish power and bloodshed. So, let’s dive into what the Behelit really is and why it’s one of the most powerful and terrifying objects in Berserk.
What Exactly is a Behelit?
The Behelit is, in the simplest terms, an egg-shaped artifact with a human face. Sounds weird, right? Well, it is weird. But it’s way more than just an ugly piece of jewelry. Think of it like a ticket to a whole new level of torment, only you won’t know what hit you until you’re already in too deep.
What It Looks Like:
- Egg-Shaped: Yup, looks like a funky egg you’d find in a horror movie, minus the Easter vibe.
- Human Faces: Sometimes smiling, sometimes crying, and other times just staring into your soul. It’s like it’s alive, or at least on the verge of being.
- Blood Trigger: If you’re one of those people who thrive on bad decisions, blood will activate it—especially if you’re in a really bad place emotionally (which, let’s face it, most of us are at some point).
A Behelit is like your mom’s worst nightmare wrapped in a cute little package. It’s adorable until it’s not.
The True Power of the Behelit
Okay, let’s get to the heart of the matter. The Behelit isn’t just an oddity you find lying around. Oh no, it’s a game-changer. It’s the key to summoning the God Hand, a group of demons who, let’s just say, don’t do birthday parties.
What Happens When You Use a Behelit?
- The God Hand Shows Up: And not in a fun, “let’s have some beers” way. They’re here to offer you something, but it always involves a cost.
- Apostles Are Born: The Behelit is the catalyst for transforming people into demonic beings—Apostles. That’s a pretty big deal, considering the amount of bloodshed and chaos that comes with it.
- The Price: And here’s the kicker—if you use the Behelit, you have to sacrifice someone you love. That’s the price for all that newfound power. Pretty dark, huh?
Anyway, the Behelit works like a “take one, sacrifice one” deal at a really messed-up grocery store.
Types of Behelits: Not All Are Created Equal
Not all Behelits are the same. Some are more exclusive than others, like VIP passes to the world’s most terrifying concert.
Regular Behelit
- For Becoming an Apostle: This is the standard-issue Behelit you’ll find in the hands of random, desperate folks. Use it, and you’re on the path to demonic power.
- Demonic Transformation: Once you’ve activated it, your world goes upside down. One moment you’re human, the next you’re some grotesque monster—unless you manage to somehow not become one.
Crimson Behelit (Egg of the King)
- Special Edition: This one’s for the VIPs, especially Griffith. He uses this Behelit to take a leap from mortal man to demigod status, with a cost so high that it shakes the very foundation of the Berserk universe.
- Destiny Sealed: The Crimson Behelit gives its user a one-way ticket to godhood, but it’s not as glamorous as it sounds. Sacrifices are made, and lives are shattered.
Don’t let the shiny appearance fool you. These Behelits might look cute, but their power comes with a dark side—literally.
Griffith and His Behelit: The Road to Femto
Alright, let’s talk about one of the most iconic moments in Berserk: Griffith’s use of the Behelit. I still can’t shake the image of him, broken and bloody, making his deal with the devil (or, uh, God Hand) using the Crimson Behelit.
The Eclipse: A Bloodbath
- Griffith’s Breaking Point: After being tortured for over a year, Griffith uses the Behelit in one last desperate attempt to survive.
- The Massacre: By activating the Crimson Behelit, Griffith sacrifices his entire band of brothers—the Band of the Hawk. The massacre that follows is brutal and unforgettable.
- Femto’s Birth: Griffith ascends to the position of Femto, a member of the God Hand, and his transformation changes everything.
I’ll be honest. The Eclipse is one of the most gut-wrenching scenes I’ve ever read. It’s the kind of moment that shakes you to your core. Anyway, Griffith’s journey with the Behelit is one of the most tragic tales in the series.
Fate, Sacrifice, and the Behelit
The Behelit isn’t just an object. It’s a mirror, reflecting the worst parts of humanity—our desire for power, our willingness to sacrifice others, and, of course, the weight of fate that we can never escape.
How It Messes with Your Destiny
- Predestination: There’s a recurring theme in Berserk: no matter how much you try to fight it, fate will catch up with you. The Behelit plays a key role in this—users are often chosen by fate.
- The Price of Power: The more you want to gain, the more you lose. This isn’t a “get rich quick” deal. It’s about losing everything that makes you human.
- Fate’s Bait: Once you touch a Behelit, your destiny is pretty much sealed. Whether you like it or not, you’ll walk a path that’s been set in stone.
The Behelit is a symbol of that constant struggle—fighting against a fate that you can’t ever outrun.
The Behelit’s Design: Horrifying and Perfect
Okay, so let’s talk about the design of the Behelit itself. It’s downright unnerving. When I first saw it, I thought, “Nope, I’m good. I’ll pass on owning one of those.”
Creepy Features of the Behelit
- Face Like No Other: The Behelit has a human face, but not in a cute, Shrek way. It’s unsettling, like something you’d see in a bad dream.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: The face changes with the user’s emotions, crying, smiling, or just staring in a way that makes you wonder if it’s actually alive.
- Blood Magic: It’s not just an ornamental piece—it’s activated by blood, meaning once you’re deep enough in your despair, the Behelit will come to life. Fun times.
It’s hard to look at the Behelit and not get a little uneasy. It’s like it knows exactly what you’re thinking—and that’s terrifying.
The Behelit’s Influence in Other Media
The Behelit isn’t just a Berserk thing. It’s influenced countless works across other media. If you’ve ever played a FromSoftware game or watched something dark and gritty, you’ve probably seen its influence.
The Behelit in Other Games & Shows
- FromSoftware Games: Games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne have heavy Berserk vibes, with their own versions of cursed artifacts and demonic transformations.
- Anime & Manga: Berserk has inspired many works, and the Behelit is a popular symbol among fans and creators alike.
The legacy of the Behelit has made its way into pop culture, making it one of those objects that transcends Berserk itself.
Can the Behelit Be Destroyed?
Here’s a question I always wonder: Can the Behelit be destroyed? So far, in Berserk, no one’s managed it. It seems to have an almost indestructible quality to it.
Theories About the Behelit’s Longevity
- Invulnerable: Some believe the Behelit is indestructible. After all, it’s tied to fate and demonic power. You can’t just destroy something that’s been etched into the fabric of the universe.
- A Necessary Evil: Maybe the Behelit needs to exist. It’s a part of the cycle—power, sacrifice, destruction. Without it, the story might not even be possible.
Who knows? But until someone finds a way to break it, we’re stuck with its evil presence.
Guts and the Behelit: A Tragic Connection
Now, Guts—our main guy—never actually uses a Behelit. But he’s deeply connected to it, mainly because of Griffith’s actions. That whole “Eclipse” thing? Yeah, that involved the Behelit and it changed Guts’ life forever.
Guts’ Struggle with Fate
- Band of the Hawk’s Loss: Griffith’s use of the Behelit leads to the slaughter of Guts’ friends, something that haunts him to this day.
- Marked for Death: Guts carries the Brand of Sacrifice, a constant reminder of the Behelit and its power.
- Driven by Revenge: Guts’ rage and determination are born from the very object that took everything from him.
The Behelit’s power is a shadow that looms over Guts, forcing him to fight for survival—and for justice.
Final Thoughts – The Behelit: Power, Sacrifice, and Fate
At the end of the day, the Behelit is Berserk’s ultimate symbol of power and destruction. It’s the thing that grants unimaginable strength—but at the cost of your humanity. It’s the bait on a trap, and you never know if you’re the one going for the cheese—or if it’s the other way around.
