Id like to begin with some Rakshas facts.
-Times Rakshas has been seen killing a foe: 0.(he doesnt even kill the kushan mammoths just disorients and frightens them with darts i believe)
-Times Rakshas has used his apostle form: 0. (i dont believe he is an apostle)
-Times Rakshas has spoken in BOOMING BOLD TEXT as all major apostles do: 0
-People enlisted or pledging to enlist under Griffith's command whether human or apostle who show him the utmost respect at all times: All of
them, from known legends such as Locus or Grunbeld, down to cretins like Corkus. All of them. ... Except for two: Guts and Rakshas.
The speculation begins
Consider the sequence in the capital city while occupied by Ganishka. During all that fighting in the arena, no Rakshas. Rakshas does
however show up to toy with Silat and the Tapasa leading them on a chase to where they would discover the dark and truly evil atrocities
Ganishka, their supreme emperor is working on. Why does he do this? It cannot be so transparent as 'see what an evil emperor you follow? Join
us!' Rakshas never makes any proposal of any sort to suggest it was some simple recruitment tactic. So that begs the question, 'Why did
Rakshas want Silat to see Ganishka's atrocities? - I have my own theory about that as well but its too much to include in this already huge
post. My last thought on this is, Rakshas actions and behavior during this sequence are not 'apostle-like' in any way, shape or form. Bad pun intended.
2
There is a chapter in Dark Horse volume 34 entitled 'Demonic Release' When charging into battle for Midland versus Ganishka/Shiva and his war
minions Griffth shouts out in a two page spread 'Demonic Release!' What follows is panel after panel of apostles changing into apostle form
and joining the war. Every apostle and their mother is present in apostle form for this one, and Griffith even warns his army that even his
war demons cant check all the foes, human soldiers must contribute to secure victory.
All are shown following Griffith's orders to the letter. Except for... Rakshas.
The major theory I believe and agree with is, Rakshas is a spy.
3
Rakshas cloak is of the same style craftmanship as Skull Knight and Guts. This may be Miura Sensei subltly classifying a character's allegiance. This is a theory of mine since i dont recall seeing long dramatic tattered black cloaks and capes on any characters in this series save these three. If this is not the case, then I have a storyline theory as to the similarities of their garb later in this post.
It is this cape's properties as an item of magical or astral construction that grants Rakshas his non-human stealth and shapeshifting skills,
in the same fashion that the berserker armor grants guts berserker fighting talent, or Serpico's cape allows him to use its astral properties
to accomplish astounding feats of agility. Note - Serpico's cloak appears differently due to the nature of the cloak, wind sylphs in my opinion. The black and tattered cloaks reflect the nature of the wearers and if it is the case, the type of astral presence present in their gear, certainly sylphs of an unstable yet powerful substance.
It was stated when Schierke handed out the magic weapons and gifts that they were powered by
sylphs, and there are many types its not a simple as earth, wind, fire, water although these are the four pricncipal elements. Consider the god of Mud and Rotting trees or whatever it was she dug up in Qlipoth. Bad pun intended.
3
When Griffith's new officers all assemble to pledge loyalty in volume 22 they speak of being guided by and oracle. In Rakshas' case I believe
the 'oracle' is Skull Knight, bidding Rakshas to do what he is a master of, and that is gather intelligence. SK is shown observing Griffith and Zodd fly off after Griffith's rebirth. Tracking their movements, he is.
Rakshas is an exile from the bakiraka clan, a clan of the most talented assassins and covert operatives in the world of Berserk. Although we
are given little so far to as to why Rakshas was exiled it is my intuition that tells me he doesnt have the cold heart of an assassin and
refused to carry out an assassination he was ordered to do, leading to his exile. Again his confirmed kill count is 0.
The next few paragraphs holds the least water on my part since it is pure and utter speculation. However its my attempt to clarify how such a
relationship between SK and Rakshas comes about. In the preceding paragraph, I speculated as to why Rakshas was exiled. Griffith found Flora
'more of a threat than an army of 10,000 men' and sent top members of his circle to kill her. If she is so skilled as to get one such as
Griffith to take notice and act, then it stands to reason any powerful apostle would view her as a dangerous threat as well. My theory is,
this isnt the first time she's struck fear or uncertainty into demons and apostles and perhaps Ganishka among others viewed Flora the same as Griffith... a dangerous loose end they wanted eliminated. Now, if Griffith sends the A team hit squad, who would Ganishka (or another apostle looking to hire the best assassins) send for a hit on Flora? Do I need to say it? Bakiraka. Member assigned for job or assigned to lead a group for job? Rakshas.
I believe Rakshas has a conscience and frankly, doesnt enjoy killing as a job, not detached and cold like that crew in the tunnel the king
sent to kill Griffith when the old Band of the Hawk leaders were fleeing the tunnels of Windham. I think he botched this job on purpose, or outright refused when it came right down to it, or something similar, and fled or escaped.. Outright disobeying his mandate, he was exiled and marked by the Bakiraka.
The Tapasa often address Silat as 'Young Master'. It follows that 'Old Master' whoever that may be is the current leader of the Bakiraka, ordered the assassination and thereafter exiled Rakshas. I feel Silat does not know the whole truth behind what Im describing here and is taking 'Old Master's' word at face value.
As part of this sequence, I think Flora saw what I'm seeing or hoping to see in Rakshas -an extremely talented and powerful misfit with nowhere to go after the events I suggested. When details are revealed to Flora, Rashas receives his current garb is a gift from flora. The items worn by Guts, SK, and Rakshas all have some characteristics in common as if crafted by the same person. the color, texture and frills of the capes and cloaks, some similarities in the helmets and face masks.
The details are up to the author of course, but it boils down to Flora gifting Rakshas a cloak that takes his stealh skills and agility to
inhuman level to give him the power to elude the Bakiraka and give him an edge to survive in return for the sacrifice he made by forfeiting
his mission.
4
Skull Knight and Flora were old friends, and extremely good friends at that. There is a mutual respect and trust well conveyed in the
storytelling. From this I will make an assumption Skull Knight and Rakshas become acquainted through Flora. Rakshas is spying on the band of
the hawk at SK's bidding. like Schierke has taught Guts party the skill of thought transference, I believe Rakshas and Skull Knight
communicate using this method. This seems to be an elementary skill for those with knowledge of the astral realm which SK certainly has. If
Schierke can successfully teach this form of communication to work with Dropey, Im sure SK and Rakshas could use this method.
To theorize the practical use of Rakshas and SK using thought transference consider the following. Rakshas hitching a ride on a (imo)
clueless Zodd and communicating to SK through flow of Od: (now is the time to strike at Femto!) when Femto kneels seems to fit logically for the timing of that sequence and reinforces my theory.
This sequence was also not the first time Zodd appears to be clueless to Rakshas presence. When Zodd was sitting on that rock guarding
Griffith at the camp at one point, Rakshas is close by and handles a situation quickly and quietly with an apparently oblivious Zodd as to
what was happening behind him.
To make a few more points regarding the sequence on top of Ganishka/Shiva. Femto kneels, SK appears, Zodd attacks with fury. Rashas...
disappears. He does not assist Zodd with defense of Femto. Why? Its not his objective to protect Femto just to observe and inform SK, if my
theory holds. Why doesnt he help SK then? It is not possible for Rakshas to harm Femto only SK has the capability to do this. Why doesnt
Rakshas help by attacking Zodd? SK has handled Zodd in the past without a scratch, Rakshas cannot fight on Zodd's level and most importantly
it would blow his cover.
Why dont we see where Rakshas goes after the sequence? We didnt see where he was beforehand either. Hes Rakshas. Probably snuck a ride down same way he got up.
5
Ill stop here but not before playing devil's advocate with myself to show you all I really am speculating, open minded, and it could very well turn out Rakshas is an apostle after all. There is a thread speculating what Rakshas apostle form would be and a spider is often cited. I think this is a good guess but i think Miura Sensei already 'went there' with the Behelit-Apostle who was quite spider-like. On Zodd's wing, Rakshas is hanging upside down when he shows his face. Also, when stealthily taking out that crew with his squad he makes a reference like 'we have not tasted blood yet'. Hanging upside down... tasting blood... cloak that sometimes resembles a flying.... bat. Should he indeed be an apostle, my money goes on a bat-like appearance.
And a question/thought. In the dark horse translations during the Silat chase he tells the tapasa 'follow him!' Until then I had suspected Rakshas was female. So my question is one of translation. In the Japanese untranslated, does Silat indeed use a masculine noun 'him' or is it not specific like 'Keep following!' without a 'male' connotation?
Hope this was interesting and at least some part of it was new or interesting, or made you think differently. Especially whichever admin reset my password and told me not to presume I had a fresh take on anything. I know a lot of this has been speculated and likely not how things will play out, but i tried to back it up solid and fill in some gaps.
Thanks.
-Times Rakshas has been seen killing a foe: 0.(he doesnt even kill the kushan mammoths just disorients and frightens them with darts i believe)
-Times Rakshas has used his apostle form: 0. (i dont believe he is an apostle)
-Times Rakshas has spoken in BOOMING BOLD TEXT as all major apostles do: 0
-People enlisted or pledging to enlist under Griffith's command whether human or apostle who show him the utmost respect at all times: All of
them, from known legends such as Locus or Grunbeld, down to cretins like Corkus. All of them. ... Except for two: Guts and Rakshas.
The speculation begins
Consider the sequence in the capital city while occupied by Ganishka. During all that fighting in the arena, no Rakshas. Rakshas does
however show up to toy with Silat and the Tapasa leading them on a chase to where they would discover the dark and truly evil atrocities
Ganishka, their supreme emperor is working on. Why does he do this? It cannot be so transparent as 'see what an evil emperor you follow? Join
us!' Rakshas never makes any proposal of any sort to suggest it was some simple recruitment tactic. So that begs the question, 'Why did
Rakshas want Silat to see Ganishka's atrocities? - I have my own theory about that as well but its too much to include in this already huge
post. My last thought on this is, Rakshas actions and behavior during this sequence are not 'apostle-like' in any way, shape or form. Bad pun intended.
2
There is a chapter in Dark Horse volume 34 entitled 'Demonic Release' When charging into battle for Midland versus Ganishka/Shiva and his war
minions Griffth shouts out in a two page spread 'Demonic Release!' What follows is panel after panel of apostles changing into apostle form
and joining the war. Every apostle and their mother is present in apostle form for this one, and Griffith even warns his army that even his
war demons cant check all the foes, human soldiers must contribute to secure victory.
All are shown following Griffith's orders to the letter. Except for... Rakshas.
The major theory I believe and agree with is, Rakshas is a spy.
-Silat DH Vol 18Our duty as Bakiraka is to scout.
3
Rakshas cloak is of the same style craftmanship as Skull Knight and Guts. This may be Miura Sensei subltly classifying a character's allegiance. This is a theory of mine since i dont recall seeing long dramatic tattered black cloaks and capes on any characters in this series save these three. If this is not the case, then I have a storyline theory as to the similarities of their garb later in this post.
It is this cape's properties as an item of magical or astral construction that grants Rakshas his non-human stealth and shapeshifting skills,
in the same fashion that the berserker armor grants guts berserker fighting talent, or Serpico's cape allows him to use its astral properties
to accomplish astounding feats of agility. Note - Serpico's cloak appears differently due to the nature of the cloak, wind sylphs in my opinion. The black and tattered cloaks reflect the nature of the wearers and if it is the case, the type of astral presence present in their gear, certainly sylphs of an unstable yet powerful substance.
It was stated when Schierke handed out the magic weapons and gifts that they were powered by
sylphs, and there are many types its not a simple as earth, wind, fire, water although these are the four pricncipal elements. Consider the god of Mud and Rotting trees or whatever it was she dug up in Qlipoth. Bad pun intended.
3
When Griffith's new officers all assemble to pledge loyalty in volume 22 they speak of being guided by and oracle. In Rakshas' case I believe
the 'oracle' is Skull Knight, bidding Rakshas to do what he is a master of, and that is gather intelligence. SK is shown observing Griffith and Zodd fly off after Griffith's rebirth. Tracking their movements, he is.
Rakshas is an exile from the bakiraka clan, a clan of the most talented assassins and covert operatives in the world of Berserk. Although we
are given little so far to as to why Rakshas was exiled it is my intuition that tells me he doesnt have the cold heart of an assassin and
refused to carry out an assassination he was ordered to do, leading to his exile. Again his confirmed kill count is 0.
The next few paragraphs holds the least water on my part since it is pure and utter speculation. However its my attempt to clarify how such a
relationship between SK and Rakshas comes about. In the preceding paragraph, I speculated as to why Rakshas was exiled. Griffith found Flora
'more of a threat than an army of 10,000 men' and sent top members of his circle to kill her. If she is so skilled as to get one such as
Griffith to take notice and act, then it stands to reason any powerful apostle would view her as a dangerous threat as well. My theory is,
this isnt the first time she's struck fear or uncertainty into demons and apostles and perhaps Ganishka among others viewed Flora the same as Griffith... a dangerous loose end they wanted eliminated. Now, if Griffith sends the A team hit squad, who would Ganishka (or another apostle looking to hire the best assassins) send for a hit on Flora? Do I need to say it? Bakiraka. Member assigned for job or assigned to lead a group for job? Rakshas.
I believe Rakshas has a conscience and frankly, doesnt enjoy killing as a job, not detached and cold like that crew in the tunnel the king
sent to kill Griffith when the old Band of the Hawk leaders were fleeing the tunnels of Windham. I think he botched this job on purpose, or outright refused when it came right down to it, or something similar, and fled or escaped.. Outright disobeying his mandate, he was exiled and marked by the Bakiraka.
The Tapasa often address Silat as 'Young Master'. It follows that 'Old Master' whoever that may be is the current leader of the Bakiraka, ordered the assassination and thereafter exiled Rakshas. I feel Silat does not know the whole truth behind what Im describing here and is taking 'Old Master's' word at face value.
As part of this sequence, I think Flora saw what I'm seeing or hoping to see in Rakshas -an extremely talented and powerful misfit with nowhere to go after the events I suggested. When details are revealed to Flora, Rashas receives his current garb is a gift from flora. The items worn by Guts, SK, and Rakshas all have some characteristics in common as if crafted by the same person. the color, texture and frills of the capes and cloaks, some similarities in the helmets and face masks.
The details are up to the author of course, but it boils down to Flora gifting Rakshas a cloak that takes his stealh skills and agility to
inhuman level to give him the power to elude the Bakiraka and give him an edge to survive in return for the sacrifice he made by forfeiting
his mission.
4
Skull Knight and Flora were old friends, and extremely good friends at that. There is a mutual respect and trust well conveyed in the
storytelling. From this I will make an assumption Skull Knight and Rakshas become acquainted through Flora. Rakshas is spying on the band of
the hawk at SK's bidding. like Schierke has taught Guts party the skill of thought transference, I believe Rakshas and Skull Knight
communicate using this method. This seems to be an elementary skill for those with knowledge of the astral realm which SK certainly has. If
Schierke can successfully teach this form of communication to work with Dropey, Im sure SK and Rakshas could use this method.
To theorize the practical use of Rakshas and SK using thought transference consider the following. Rakshas hitching a ride on a (imo)
clueless Zodd and communicating to SK through flow of Od: (now is the time to strike at Femto!) when Femto kneels seems to fit logically for the timing of that sequence and reinforces my theory.
This sequence was also not the first time Zodd appears to be clueless to Rakshas presence. When Zodd was sitting on that rock guarding
Griffith at the camp at one point, Rakshas is close by and handles a situation quickly and quietly with an apparently oblivious Zodd as to
what was happening behind him.
To make a few more points regarding the sequence on top of Ganishka/Shiva. Femto kneels, SK appears, Zodd attacks with fury. Rashas...
disappears. He does not assist Zodd with defense of Femto. Why? Its not his objective to protect Femto just to observe and inform SK, if my
theory holds. Why doesnt he help SK then? It is not possible for Rakshas to harm Femto only SK has the capability to do this. Why doesnt
Rakshas help by attacking Zodd? SK has handled Zodd in the past without a scratch, Rakshas cannot fight on Zodd's level and most importantly
it would blow his cover.
Why dont we see where Rakshas goes after the sequence? We didnt see where he was beforehand either. Hes Rakshas. Probably snuck a ride down same way he got up.
5
Ill stop here but not before playing devil's advocate with myself to show you all I really am speculating, open minded, and it could very well turn out Rakshas is an apostle after all. There is a thread speculating what Rakshas apostle form would be and a spider is often cited. I think this is a good guess but i think Miura Sensei already 'went there' with the Behelit-Apostle who was quite spider-like. On Zodd's wing, Rakshas is hanging upside down when he shows his face. Also, when stealthily taking out that crew with his squad he makes a reference like 'we have not tasted blood yet'. Hanging upside down... tasting blood... cloak that sometimes resembles a flying.... bat. Should he indeed be an apostle, my money goes on a bat-like appearance.
And a question/thought. In the dark horse translations during the Silat chase he tells the tapasa 'follow him!' Until then I had suspected Rakshas was female. So my question is one of translation. In the Japanese untranslated, does Silat indeed use a masculine noun 'him' or is it not specific like 'Keep following!' without a 'male' connotation?
Hope this was interesting and at least some part of it was new or interesting, or made you think differently. Especially whichever admin reset my password and told me not to presume I had a fresh take on anything. I know a lot of this has been speculated and likely not how things will play out, but i tried to back it up solid and fill in some gaps.
Thanks.