Griffith’s betrayal of the Band of the Hawk wasn’t just an act of desperation—it was the culmination of his fate. From the very beginning, his path seemed preordained, carefully manipulated by the God Hand to lead him to his ultimate transformation into Femto. His dream of ruling his own kingdom was always bound to come at an unspeakable cost, and when faced with complete ruin, he made the ultimate choice.
Though he valued Guts and Casca, his ambition always came first. His relationships were built on utility rather than emotional depth, making his eventual sacrifice of the Hawks not a sudden shift in character but a tragic inevitability. In his mind, regaining power was the only way to avoid a life of helplessness and despair.
The Fear of Losing Control
Griffith had spent his entire life in control, orchestrating victories, manipulating situations, and shaping his destiny. However, after his capture and brutal torture, that control was stripped away. His body was ruined, his dream shattered, and for the first time, he found himself completely powerless. Watching Guts and Casca grow closer only deepened his sense of isolation—he was no longer the leader, but a broken observer left behind.
His jealousy of Guts and Casca wasn’t just about romantic feelings—it was about their ability to connect on a level he never could. While Casca had once been devoted to him, she now found solace in Guts. Their emotional bond was something Griffith could neither understand nor replicate, and this realization shook him. When he pushed himself onto Casca, it was a desperate attempt to reclaim control, not an act of love.
After realizing he was incapable of pursuing his dream in his broken state, Griffith faced a bitter truth—he had become everything he once despised. Helpless, purposeless, and consumed by regret, he attempted to take his own life. But even in this, he failed. He had lost the ability to shape his own fate, and in that moment of utter despair, the God Hand presented him with a way out.
Choosing to sacrifice the Band of the Hawk wasn’t just about revenge or power—it was about survival. By offering up his loyal followers, Griffith could reclaim his strength and ascend to something greater. Guts’ presence only complicated things further—his very existence made Griffith question his dream. By eliminating the Hawks, he removed the last obstacles standing between him and his ambition.
Griffith’s transformation into Femto was the final step in a journey long in the making. Whether fate had always intended for him to fall or if he was simply a man who broke under the weight of his own dream is up for debate. But one thing remains clear—his choice to sacrifice the Band of the Hawk wasn’t just an act of betrayal. It was the price he was always destined to pay.
