Two feudal kingdoms, Midland and Chuder, battle for supremacy in a century-long struggle. Spearheading the Midland forces is the Band of the Hawk, a legendary cadre of elite mercenaries led by the charismatic Griffith, and the fearless Guts as its berserker champion. But during the fray, Guts and Griffith's most trusted lieutenant, Casca, fall from a cliff into a raging river. Miraculously, both survive, and Guts tends to Casca's wounds. But this greeting-card moment won't last long, for Chuder warriors are on the prowl, and the only greetings they carry are on the points of their spears!