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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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIt1LM4tS5
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpOrqIxhO3
"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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUP7TjbxcI
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. 225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvLHiN2N8g
You see here, I have everything I need in my heart, which is filled with love and peace."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyO4PImSYb
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. 225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjrRojpE1f
You are a stupid fool to believe otherwise. Come, Merlin, let us leave this pitiful, idiot creature to his silly delusions."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoQ8e74XAN
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPLYNhr43r
The Count turned his horse and rode away, followed by Merlin. The monk watched them go, and prayed for their souls.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFXdVlD7MM
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXWsMAHTta
The Count wanted to conquer Camelot and claim its riches and lands, while Merlin wanted to destroy it and its protector, the wizard Gandalf.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEdRXhQdxj
Merlin had a plan, which he shared with the Count. He said,225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Qo8wtcQFN
"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. 225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzqmYfRfuJ
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdweFmEhyv
The Count was quite intrigued and asked,225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf28BUgrEJo
"How do we find this Holy Grail?"225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGrQEzDTdY
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVMghw8BZK
The Count realized who he meant and said, "The monk? You want to use him?"225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tZ9I030Vj
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDB0CArMdf
𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1j0pxPlSU
The Count agreed and said, "Very well, let us do it. When do we leave?"225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtP0x3UtJP
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw69cmiV3ZF
The Count smiled and said, "Excellent. Let us prepare then. Soon, we will rule this land with an iron fist."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnhJHfdB6M
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. 225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWjVOtpUDL
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3EAA9EuUT
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, 225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEOcpss11O
do you not?"225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL23cjECtLi
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOXrOEDwcT
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXrDv5FjgV
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3C46BALpS
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviu0Uyp4zC
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HMTmTqJcg
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. 225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ803nYI6Fd3
Though he was quite hesitant to lead the Count to the Holy Grail, he would not lay down his life for it.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U1glyWHDW
At last, they came to a clearing, where a red small chapel stood. It was old, decrepit225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiqAIViEQq
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Lel1f6k8L
Chapter II225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IYwf75ipr
He drew his sword and walked towards the chapel, leaving Merlin and the others behind. He pushed open the wooden door and entered.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPdALzUbkR
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, 225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYmy3NU0lv
"The Grail! It is real! It is here!"225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sb1dzaqXE
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONGOCK5u3B
Outside, Merlin heard a scream and said, "What was that? What happened?"225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0wnGZu36p
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,225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpDVSgrx6s
"The Grail! It is real! I 225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyZUzc9IrF
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. 225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjwml4gDVl
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwLDZ8IuHI
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfhKttuwjh
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss26FBe6dh
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PAAMnNklj
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBANmuz9laO
The monk recognized him at once and said, "My lord... King Arthur?"225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvE8P0QoPZ
The man smiled and said, "Yes, it is I. I have come to save you from your enemies."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QfZQUv2fJ
He untied the monk and helped him to stand up. He said, "Come with me. I will take you to a safe place."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl1CfoIhLC
Chapter III225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxehC4BiZc
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7heYhcFvo
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMww7BBLlW
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EktRufCdi
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFw3uuIckB
He quickly rode out of Camelot, without even looking back.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYbZvmznK8
He rode his horse for many days and nights, through forests and fields, mountains and valleys. 225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1QNAx9xcL
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDcHLdfYem
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, 225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6addNzCFp
"Whoever wishes to enter this castle must prove himself worthy by passing through the fire."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSyi7CFwrU
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXZmlRPT9G
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WV1FHmjum
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis4YK95MOS
Lancelot recognized it as the Grail. He felt a surge of joy and awe, as he walked towards it, his eyes wide in225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdt1l6uN66
wonder.
He reached out his hand to touch it, but as soon as he did, he heard a scream.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA9ImibsMC
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?"225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAckNobdZT
She fell to the ground, dead.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpZtt56lO0
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!"225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd45YEvbEOm
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrYTbjpQqN
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrr86tsKGJ
She disappeared in his arms, still laughing.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVbtOc0Od7
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!225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAil6T7jhLV
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 ."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmuPvsZqB1
He looked up not225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMApSVgH6eE
believing his own
eyes...
𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒓225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyzyoVjBhs
Lancelot recognized him at once and said, "My lord ... King Arthur?"225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mSDIXgbnL
The king smiled and said, "Yes, it is I, I who have come to save you from your enemies."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKX3wHiaad
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FE3MEfBPa
He led him to a white horse that was there waiting nearby. He helped him to mount it and then mounted another one himself .225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9crliFEA4
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."225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIShwngsKni
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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAGcMOACJY
They entered into Avalon, where they were welcomed by knights that had transcended their physical bodies and were now guardian angels.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkUMgwIdCT
225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorugjZ17vI
