Scene 1
A university lecture hall. A history class is underway, examining the historical accuracy of events described in Ivan Franko’s story “Zakhar Berkut”. Maksym arrives late and jokes with the lecturer who suddenly turns into Mavra and foretells Maksym a fate of great love and terrible suffering.

Fascinated by what is happening, one by one, the students gradually turn into characters from Franko’s story and now can see the events that took place there with their own eyes.

Suddenly, Tuhar Vovk enters with his boyars, seeking a guide for an upcoming bear hunt. Maksym volunteers, but warns Tuhar Vovk that he is going to face a public trial.

Scene 2
Left alone, Maksym and Myroslava, Tuhar Vovk’s daughter, share a tender moment. A spark of love ignites between them.

Their intimacy is abruptly shattered by the sudden arrival of Mongol invaders, who begin to threaten them. A fierce fight starts. Maksym slays one of the attackers, forcing the others to flee. His bravery inflames Myroslava’s love.

Tuhar Vovk returns with his boyars. Seeing his daughter safe, he offers Maksym a reward of his choice. Without hesitation, Maksym asks for Myroslava’s hand in marriage. Tuhar Vovk is furious. He rejects the request with scorn, forcibly drags his daughter away, and departs in anger, leaving Maksym shattered, alone amidst the ruins of his hope.

Scene 3
The residents of Tukhlia gather in the village square. Zakhar Berkut opens the assembly and delivers grave news: the Tatar invasion has begun, Kyiv has fallen, the princes are divided in strife, and the Tatar forces are already approaching their land.

Zakhar Berkut also notes that boyar Tuhar Vovk must stand trial for violating the rights of the free citizens by seizing peasants’ land and shedding innocent blood.

But the conversation is interrupted by the sudden arrival of Tuhar Vovk. He refuses to submit to the community’s judgment, wounds one of the villagers and, threatening them, leaves the square. According to the ancient law, the community decides to expel Tuhar from Tukhlia’s lands and to destroy his estate. Maksym is entrusted with carrying out this sentence.

Scene 4
Tuhar Vovk and Myroslava arrive at the Tatar camp. He betrays both the prince and the people of Tukhlia, whom he despises, and promises to guide the Mongols through the Beskids to the land of the Arpads, opening the way for them through Tukhlia.

Before departing, Tuhar asks Burundai to leave Myroslava in the camp. She is given a ring – a symbol of protection. Shocked by her father’s treachery, Myroslava pleads to leave with him, but he convinces her to stay by vowing that no harm will come to Maksym.

Scene 5
Tuhar Vovk’s estate. Maksym arrives with a group of young Tukhlia men. But the estate is empty, neither Tuhar nor Myroslava is there. Only armed guards remain. After tense negotiations, the guards decide to join the Tukhlians.

Suddenly, Tuhar Vovk returns, leading a Tatar detachment. A fierce and uneven battle breaks out. All perish, both Tukhlians and guards. Only Maksym survives. On the boyar’s order, Maksym is spared, but taken captive.

As he is being chained, Mavra appears. She foretells Tuhar Vovk’s death and vows that the blood of young Berkut will be avenged. Maksym is led away into captivity. Mavra remains, mourning the fallen.

Scene 6
The Tatar camp. In the stillness of night, distant voices of the guards echo through the camp. Myroslava is awake – her thoughts are with her beloved. Suddenly, Tuhar Vovk appears, accompanied by the captive Maksym. From their conversation, it becomes clear that the people of Tukhlia have blocked the only exit from the valley where the Tatar camp is located.

Tuhar, acting as a mediator, is to deliver a proposal to the villagers: they will open a passage through the mountains, and in return, the Tatars will release Maksym. However, Maksym refuses to be exchanged, protesting bitterly. He does not wish to become a pawn in others’ negotiations. Tuhar doubts the sincerity of the young man, yet agrees to go to the negotiations.

Myroslava, who has her own secret plan of rescue, goes with him.

Scene 7
The cave of Dazhboh, high among the Zelemin rocks. The elders of Tukhlia are gathered. Zakhar Berkut addresses them, recounting the history of their land and the legend of the Rock-Guardian, said to protect the people in times of danger.

Faced with looming invasion, the community decides: they will destroy the Rock to flood the valley, burying the enemy camp beneath the waters. Myroslava and Tuhar Vovk arrive. Tuhar delivers the Tatars’ offer: open a passage to the mountains, and Maksym will be spared. But Zakhar firmly refuses. He will not betray his people nor endanger neighbouring villages, even for the life of his own son. Tuhar is forced to leave, empty-handed. Myroslava chooses to stay. Zakhar embraces her as his daughter.

The scene ends with Zakhar’s solemn prayer to Dazhboh, god of the sun and guardian of life.

Scene 8
The Tatar camp. Tuhar Vovk’s tent. Mavra secretly sneaks into the camp. She brings Maksym the ring that Burundai gave to Myroslava, a token of protection, and some woman’s clothing. With this disguise, Maksym may escape. She warns him that the Tukhlia villagers are about to destroy the Rock, the water will flood the valley, and there is little time left.

Maksym rejoices, but he is still in chains. At that moment, Tuhar enters, burdened by the failure of his mission. Maksym proposes a deal: he will lead the Tatars out through a secret Tukhlian path, if Tuhar frees him. Tuhar agrees, desperate to save himself, and rushes to inform Burundai.

Suddenly, a deafening roar breaks the night – the Tukhlia villagers have destroyed the Rock. Panic erupts in the camp. Amidst the chaos, Maksym escapes. Burundai, considering Tuhar a traitor, kills him. The waters rise swiftly. The Tatar horde is engulfed.

Scene 9
The Tukhlian camp, high on a rocky hill. The Tatars, overcome with panic, struggle to flee the flood, but in vain. The final battle unfolds. Maksym is gravely wounded.
He is rescued and brought to Zakhar and Myroslava. There, in their arms, he dies. The warriors of Tukhlia gather and bow in silence over the fallen hero.