guuuuuuuuts
Excited for the next chapter!
At this point I'm thinking perhaps we will have talking.... these episodes were Gut's chance to swing, swing, swing at Griffith unhindered. It clearly didn't work. Zodd has arrived, but he will follow the lead of Griffith. This next episode will be Griffith's chance to take charge and address Guts, plus everyone else in earshot, without further fighting. Griffith does appear amused and he is in a position to offer a deal to the group besides sending his army.Scenario 1—Rescue Mission
Zodd and the apostles, led by Sonia, are here because their leader went missing mysteriously. Sonia tracked him telepathically and gathered the major apostles, using the World Spiral Tree to cross the distance between them. They're going to do a quick, violent, and effective evacuation of Griffith.
Scenario 2—Coordinated Incursion
Griffith and the apostles had planned for this moment, because Griffith was able to predict the boy's transformation. They're not here to evacuate Griffith, but because he had stowed away through the boy, and his now powerful presence can disrupt the island's defenses, allowing the apostles to find their way to the island. They're here to wreck shit.
Coloring these expectations are the limitations that we know we're working within. Namely, we know that there are only four episodes remaining in the Chapter of Elf Island. That's half the length of the assault on Flora's Mansion. If the apostles were really here to wreck the island and kill all inhabitants, would such a major event go down in just four episodes (particularly given that through this new team, 365-366 flew by)? I don't think so.
What other scenarios do you think there are?