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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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6glddcvlML
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzocPZpsgNC
"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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuovXn8r4ev
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. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcmGcTYj2n
You see here, I have everything I need in my heart, which is filled with love and peace."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEzsFnUr6J
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. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n0yjfz0P6
You are a stupid fool to believe otherwise. Come, Merlin, let us leave this pitiful, idiot creature to his silly delusions."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rX4RFgUUl
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qOeUFPykB
The Count turned his horse and rode away, followed by Merlin. The monk watched them go, and prayed for their souls.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpRywEdW0L
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2orfst7wrq
The Count wanted to conquer Camelot and claim its riches and lands, while Merlin wanted to destroy it and its protector, the wizard Gandalf.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCuqbnY69A
Merlin had a plan, which he shared with the Count. He said,309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qD4nhoFbc
"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. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvoYkq6tLM
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhlIgaxDIr
The Count was quite intrigued and asked,309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmgHMasdf3
"How do we find this Holy Grail?"309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMqcEcbx7P
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8KlbOgck1
The Count realized who he meant and said, "The monk? You want to use him?"309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCTlZtZqkg
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIaxxsX7gG
𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojJDtFlZNH
The Count agreed and said, "Very well, let us do it. When do we leave?"309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYaT3aY5iM
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYRs5Q8pVW
The Count smiled and said, "Excellent. Let us prepare then. Soon, we will rule this land with an iron fist."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8krDkKr8U
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. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWL0xXEak3
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweBc3gjgk6
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, 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJPeqgxFrj
do you not?"309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtxM4lpfcg
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIynbywU7T7
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDo33PtaQI
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL14FR3KaAd
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2aEB8aGm0
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WtFVziHoY
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. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8QCKl8IpX
Though he was quite hesitant to lead the Count to the Holy Grail, he would not lay down his life for it.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZbjnwu9NQ
At last, they came to a clearing, where a red small chapel stood. It was old, decrepit309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIluay3MpaQ
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25Gs1Cgtxq
Chapter II309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWi8SyBfDi
He drew his sword and walked towards the chapel, leaving Merlin and the others behind. He pushed open the wooden door and entered.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKDMXCO0iJ
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, 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3GrWwEX6u
"The Grail! It is real! It is here!"309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZzWAEQRUT
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwz1g6qBtb
Outside, Merlin heard a scream and said, "What was that? What happened?"309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQuhftOGSm
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,309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnqZKSSbF0
"The Grail! It is real! I 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCpPI9iGxi
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. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEi0p8zcRn
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSzl2V1NM1
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXJ7QrKwi6
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNTgz40Auc
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KTQJWbBDH
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmdVab1Jl7
The monk recognized him at once and said, "My lord... King Arthur?"309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0lGUPhIPW
The man smiled and said, "Yes, it is I. I have come to save you from your enemies."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6txpfRtPsN
He untied the monk and helped him to stand up. He said, "Come with me. I will take you to a safe place."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s3kHi4z0p
Chapter III309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg89N5Wm5Uy
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHjMc4ITO4
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxmC3j7Eub
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3qaMgDXDv
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfL96OOgp1
He quickly rode out of Camelot, without even looking back.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0GeQzGFJf
He rode his horse for many days and nights, through forests and fields, mountains and valleys. 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmfLPXsnXx
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oT1jYh1bV
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, 309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9MuTF4fwk
"Whoever wishes to enter this castle must prove himself worthy by passing through the fire."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEaVo0JCLh
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYyPTfVlde
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNqZM5DZrl
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTdMrj967I
Lancelot recognized it as the Grail. He felt a surge of joy and awe, as he walked towards it, his eyes wide in309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQFN81l1dB
wonder.
He reached out his hand to touch it, but as soon as he did, he heard a scream.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWj3srOJRA
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?"309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly2WDPD4SN
She fell to the ground, dead.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97x5UCkJbZ
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!"309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhwZRbgy1Z
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y3LbqLn7L
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81xumiZTCn
She disappeared in his arms, still laughing.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYKugoEGjL
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!309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY2BeI1Hsn
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 ."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWaSihPV9s
He looked up not309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AohF8sOeZ
believing his own
eyes...
𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒓309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qlJf6Npqg
Lancelot recognized him at once and said, "My lord ... King Arthur?"309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe1spNdBQf
The king smiled and said, "Yes, it is I, I who have come to save you from your enemies."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxSIJ8G1jX
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ybv6pGu5V
He led him to a white horse that was there waiting nearby. He helped him to mount it and then mounted another one himself .309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pvsVjAhI5
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."309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9usPl8N3fk
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.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA1PkSxUXi
They entered into Avalon, where they were welcomed by knights that had transcended their physical bodies and were now guardian angels.309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzOD58Mi6q
309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiRvJSl8dC
