Merlin was a master of dark magic, who used his wicked spells to manipulate and deceive. He also had a hidden agenda, which was to overthrow the Count Phillip and take his place.
One day, Count Phillip was riding through the forest, when he came across a monk, who was traveling to a nearby monastery.146Please respect copyright.PENANAY8FmyiotkZ
The monk was a humble and kind man, who devoted his life to helping others and spreading the word of God. He greeted the Count with respect and courtesy, but the Count mocked him and his faith.146Please respect copyright.PENANAwdFzwgb5Am
"Ha! What do you know of life, you foolish monk? You waste your days in pointless prayer and meditation, while I enjoy the pleasures of this world. You have no power, no real influence, no glory. You are nothing but a beggar in a robe."146Please respect copyright.PENANA5RuXUPwzvI
The monk smiled and said, "My lord, I do not seek any of those things. I only seek to serve God and his creation. I have no selfish need for raw power, influence, or glory, for they are fleeting and vain. 146Please respect copyright.PENANA28pKrFGyQS
You see here, I have everything I need in my heart, which is filled with love and peace."146Please respect copyright.PENANAXbV8JfXcBZ
The Count sneered and said, "Love and peace? What utter nonsense! There is only war and strife in this world. Love is a weakness, and peace is a lie. 146Please respect copyright.PENANA5XVzibSu3n
You are a stupid fool to believe otherwise. Come, Merlin, let us leave this pitiful, idiot creature to his silly delusions."146Please respect copyright.PENANAquH0vIEUvF
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕146Please respect copyright.PENANA1uF5k5M0e2
The Count turned his horse and rode away, followed by Merlin. The monk watched them go, and prayed for their souls.146Please respect copyright.PENANA6kFqa0k8AR
The Count and Merlin returned to the castle, where they plotted their next move. They had been at war with the neighboring kingdom of Camelot, which was ruled by the noble King Arthur and his knights.146Please respect copyright.PENANAt7cm3qirGd
The Count wanted to conquer Camelot and claim its riches and lands, while Merlin wanted to destroy it and its protector, the wizard Gandalf.146Please respect copyright.PENANAkQ8SETQ1hp
Merlin had a plan, which he shared with the Count. He said,146Please respect copyright.PENANA1G7DpR8iyZ
"My lord, I have devised a way to defeat our enemies once and for all. I have learned of a powerful artifact, hidden in the depths of the forest. 146Please respect copyright.PENANAecu26TowNo
It is called the Holy Grail, and it is said to grant eternal life and wisdom to whoever drinks from it. If we can find it and use it, we will become invincible and unstoppable."146Please respect copyright.PENANA0N1YEf9LeT
The Count was quite intrigued and asked,146Please respect copyright.PENANABlQinWDxMF
"How do we find this Holy Grail?"146Please respect copyright.PENANAj3SojtBWAw
Merlin said, "There is a legend, that only the purest of heart can see it and touch it. We must find someone who fits that description, and use them as our guide. I have a candidate in mind, someone who crossed our path today."146Please respect copyright.PENANAlOBRqGUI1o
The Count realized who he meant and said, "The monk? You want to use him?"146Please respect copyright.PENANAC6iP3QVwij
Merlin nodded and said, "Yes, he is perfect. He is innocent and devout, he knows the forest well, and he has no ties to Camelot or Gandalf. He will not suspect our intentions, and he will lead us to the Grail. All we have to do is capture him and persuade him to cooperate."146Please respect copyright.PENANAbIHbbOFfNz
𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏146Please respect copyright.PENANAPNySr4ibb1
The Count agreed and said, "Very well, let us do it. When do we leave?"146Please respect copyright.PENANAufUpll10tj
Merlin said, "Tonight, under the cover of darkness. We will take a small group of men with us, and leave the rest to guard the castle. We will be back before dawn, with the Grail in our hands."146Please respect copyright.PENANAmh2bjoyuFH
The Count smiled and said, "Excellent. Let us prepare then. Soon, we will rule this land with an iron fist."146Please respect copyright.PENANAGN5N90z32i
That night, the Count and Merlin, along with a dozen of their men, rode to the monastery where all the monks were staying. They arrived in the pale midnight, and attacked the peaceful, sleeping, monks, killing many of them and setting fire to the buildings. 146Please respect copyright.PENANAm8th6LHKuE
They found the monk they were looking for, and dragged him out of his bed. He was terrified, and bitterly confused, begging them to spare his life.146Please respect copyright.PENANAf2skvDjA9Q
The Count said, "Do not fear, we will not kill you. We have a special task for you. You will lead us to the Holy Grail, the most sacred relic in the world. You know where it is, 146Please respect copyright.PENANAV9bI32UXky
do you not?"146Please respect copyright.PENANABERSNckmEX
The monk said, "The Holy Grail? I do not know what you speak of. I have never seen it or heard of it. Please please, let me go. I have done nothing to harm you."146Please respect copyright.PENANAKXy96lHAim
Merlin said, "Do not lie to us, you pious fraud. You are one of the purest of heart, and only such can find the Grail. We have seen it in our dreams, and we know you have too. It is hidden in the forest, in a secret place known only to God and His chosen ones. You will take us there, or you will suffer greatly."146Please respect copyright.PENANA2IMgVDKdrp
The monk said, "I swear by God, I do not know anything about the Grail. You are mistaken, or deluded by evil spirits. The Grail is not for mortal men to seek or possess. It is a divine mystery, beyond your comprehension."146Please respect copyright.PENANAHrD1ZaS1hY
The Count said, "Enough of your nonsense. You will obey us, or you will die. Come, mount this horse. We have no time to waste."146Please respect copyright.PENANAEXkeQilcY0
The Count forced the monk to ride with him, while Merlin and the rest followed behind. They left the burning monastery behind them, and headed into the forest.146Please respect copyright.PENANAomWc7RVkLJ
The Count and his men rode through the forest for hours, following the directions of Merlin, who claimed to have a vision of the Grail's location. The monk was silent and prayed inwardly, hoping for a miracle. 146Please respect copyright.PENANAzniJ4kLoA3
Though he was quite hesitant to lead the Count to the Holy Grail, he would not lay down his life for it.146Please respect copyright.PENANAPxhlTD1LwL
At last, they came to a clearing, where a red small chapel stood. It was old, decrepit146Please respect copyright.PENANAD2vMhjRxif
crumbling, and covered with vines and moss. Merlin said, "This is it. This is where the Grail is hidden. I can feel its power. Come, let us enter."
The Count dismounted and said, "You stay here with the monk. I will go in first. The Grail is mine, and mine alone."146Please respect copyright.PENANAUWV9OxE5jq
Chapter II146Please respect copyright.PENANAgDGCqoZP6y
He drew his sword and walked towards the chapel, leaving Merlin and the others behind. He pushed open the wooden door and entered.146Please respect copyright.PENANANUHlG1VNnT
Inside, he saw a dimly lit room, with a stone altar in the center. On the altar, there was a golden cup, shining with a faint light. The Count gasped and said, 146Please respect copyright.PENANAorlwCqfdIE
"The Grail! It is real! It is here!"146Please respect copyright.PENANARkAdRT6MiV
He approached the altar, his eyes fixed on the cup. He reached out his hand to grab it, but as soon as he touched it, he felt a surge of pain in his chest. He looked down and saw blood spilling from his heart. He fell to the ground, dead.146Please respect copyright.PENANABa1wTy1N1F
Outside, Merlin heard a scream and said, "What was that? What happened?"146Please respect copyright.PENANAoismepcwcz
He ran to the chapel, followed by his men. They saw the Count's body lying on the floor, and the cup on the altar. Merlin said,146Please respect copyright.PENANAfNx2Gq8bYK
"The Grail! It is real! I 146Please respect copyright.PENANApxvKbOA9t3
must have it!"
He rushed to the altar, ignoring the Count's corpse. He grabbed the cup and lifted it to his lips. He drank from it, expecting to feel eternal life and wisdom. Instead, he felt a burning sensation in his throat and stomach. 146Please respect copyright.PENANAhcgwrmzmbN
He dropped the cup and clutched his belly. He realized too late that he had been poisoned by the Grail's holy power. He collapsed on the floor, dying.146Please respect copyright.PENANAQhnDUOGxdN
The other men saw what happened and were terrified. They ran out of the chapel, leaving behind their leader and their lord. They mounted their horses and fled from the forest.146Please respect copyright.PENANAxdZN354Ast
The monk was still tied to a Willow tree, watching everything in horror. He did not understand what had happened, or why God had allowed such evil to befall him and his brothers. He wondered if he would ever be free again.146Please respect copyright.PENANAIoz3riu5qv
Then he heard a voice in his ear, saying, "Do not despair, my son. You have done well. You have resisted temptation and remained faithful to me. You have witnessed my justice and my mercy. You have seen the folly of those who seek the Grail for their own gain."146Please respect copyright.PENANA23C9oJwzOw
The monk looked up and saw a man standing next to him. He was tall and fair, with long blond hair and blue eyes. He wore a white robe and a silver crown. He had a kind and gentle face, but also a majestic and noble one.146Please respect copyright.PENANAV5zwA0x7xc
The monk recognized him at once and said, "My lord... King Arthur?"146Please respect copyright.PENANA58FsB1L1nM
The man smiled and said, "Yes, it is I. I have come to save you from your enemies."146Please respect copyright.PENANA91CuktrOsz
He untied the monk and helped him to stand up. He said, "Come with me. I will take you to a safe place."146Please respect copyright.PENANAwthSuWY1ox
Chapter III146Please respect copyright.PENANANZ2UecHPH2
Meanwhile, in Camelot, Sir Lancelot was restless. He had a dream the night before, in which he saw a golden cup and a voice that said, "Seek the Grail, and you will find your destiny."146Please respect copyright.PENANAv9jV8rq6xo
He did not know what it meant, but he felt a strong urge to follow it. He decided to leave Camelot and go on a quest for the Grail.146Please respect copyright.PENANA0DMeK8OwFJ
He packed his belongings and took his horse. He did not tell anyone where he was going, not even his beloved Guinevere, the queen. He knew she would try to stop him, or ask him to take her with him. He loved her more than anything, but he also felt guilty for betraying his king and his friend, Arthur.146Please respect copyright.PENANAUZWpXzBY4n
He left a note for her, saying, "Forgive me, my love. I have to do this. I will return to you, if God wills it.146Please respect copyright.PENANA69LLifhfax
He quickly rode out of Camelot, without even looking back.146Please respect copyright.PENANAvs8YQtSUbA
He rode his horse for many days and nights, through forests and fields, mountains and valleys. 146Please respect copyright.PENANAGyub8GbXJl
He prayed every day, asking God to guide him to the Grail. He hoped that by finding it, he would then be forgiven for his sins and be worthy of God's love.146Please respect copyright.PENANAxbaQQigV3x
One day, he came across a castle in the middle of a lake. It was surrounded by a wall of fire, which burned without smoke or ash. He heard a voice from within the castle, saying, 146Please respect copyright.PENANAqSV7ARPrM0
"Whoever wishes to enter this castle must prove himself worthy by passing through the fire."146Please respect copyright.PENANAGSCRp4G1R4
Lancelot did not hesitate. He spurred his horse and charged towards the fire. He felt a brief pain as he crossed it, but then he was inside the castle.146Please respect copyright.PENANAbeBFEtK7z6
He dismounted his horse and looked around. He saw a large hall, with a long table in the center. On the table, there was a golden cup, shining with a bright light.146Please respect copyright.PENANA2wxhjfVPjM
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍146Please respect copyright.PENANAG94G9tbwpV
Lancelot recognized it as the Grail. He felt a surge of joy and awe, as he walked towards it, his eyes wide in146Please respect copyright.PENANA47FyHfkYze
wonder.
He reached out his hand to touch it, but as soon as he did, he heard a scream.146Please respect copyright.PENANAHn2Z4zTbiB
He turned around and saw Guinevere standing at the door of the hall. She was pale and bleeding from a wound in her chest. She said, "Lancelot! How could you? How could you leave me? How could you choose this cup over me?"146Please respect copyright.PENANA0OJZt575ai
She fell to the ground, dead.146Please respect copyright.PENANAcHP9xeLb8a
Lancelot was shocked and horrified. He then dropped the cup and ran to her side. He took her in his arms and said, "Guinevere! No! This can't be! This is a trick! This is a lie!"146Please respect copyright.PENANAvCE5ijDoHs
He looked at her face and saw that it was not Guinevere's face at all. It was the face of Morgana , Arthur's half-sister and enemy. She had wickedly used her sick, morbid magic to disguise herself as the beauty, Guinevere, to lure Lancelot into a trap.146Please respect copyright.PENANAtpVDPZLkRt
She laughed and said. "Fool! You have fallen for my trap! You have chosen the false Grail, which is not a cup, but a curse. It has poisoned your soul and your love . You have lost everything."146Please respect copyright.PENANAoTQGWzv6zV
She disappeared in his arms, still laughing.146Please respect copyright.PENANAvW0hFm5Dtg
Lancelot realized that he had been deceived. He had chosen the wrong cup and wrong destiny. He cried out in anguish, "God!" Forgive me! Help me!146Please respect copyright.PENANAfcWGE8V9bE
And he too, heard a voice in his ear, that said, "Do not fear or despair, my son, you have done well. You have followed your heart and your faith. and have faced evil temptation and trial. You have seen the stark truth, also the lie and have found your true destiny ."146Please respect copyright.PENANAUlW90neqQk
He looked up not146Please respect copyright.PENANAY9cyrLypJn
believing his own
eyes...
𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒓146Please respect copyright.PENANADougBUFkc3
Lancelot recognized him at once and said, "My lord ... King Arthur?"146Please respect copyright.PENANADruKZwtVLM
The king smiled and said, "Yes, it is I, I who have come to save you from your enemies."146Please respect copyright.PENANAxD2uTK8lBe
He helped him to stand up. He said, "Come with me, I will take you to Avalon, where I dwell with my knights and my lovely queen. There you will find peace and joy. There you will see the true Grail, which is not a cup, but a vision of God 's love."146Please respect copyright.PENANAvKiHeiTy3h
He led him to a white horse that was there waiting nearby. He helped him to mount it and then mounted another one himself .146Please respect copyright.PENANAHe7kn8uM1J
He said , "We are all going to Avalon, where we are free from pain, evil and sorrow. There we are one with God and each other and we are happy and fulfilled."146Please respect copyright.PENANAknwjnoVq2a
He rode away with Lancelot, leaving behind the castle, the fire, and the corpses. They crossed a bridge of light, which had spanned over a misty lake.146Please respect copyright.PENANAj2kuZCEjE2
They entered into Avalon, where they were welcomed by knights that had transcended their physical bodies and were now guardian angels.146Please respect copyright.PENANAeUyYDhKM1m
146Please respect copyright.PENANApkXPeSeYLh