The Count, Philip was a greedy, villainous, ambitious man. He had heard of the legend of the Holy Grail, the cup that Jesus used at the Last Supper, and that whoever drank from it would gain eternal life and wisdom.

He wanted to find the Grail and use it for his own glory and power.

He hired a group of mercenaries, led by the evil, cunning and ruthless wizard named Merlin. Merlin claimed to know the location of the Grail, hidden in a secret chapel in the forest of

Broceliande.

Because he had blatantly forced a fearful monk who knew the Holy Grail's location to guide him there.

They set off on their journey, hastily riding through the great land of King Arthur. King Arthur was a good and noble king, who ruled with justice and mercy. He had a loyal and brave knight named Sir Lancelot, who was his best friend and champion.

Sir Lancelot was also secretly in love with King Arthur's wife, Queen Guinevere, but he never acted on his feelings, out of respect for his king.

King Arthur had also heard of the legend of the Grail, but he did not seek it for himself. He believed that the Grail was a divine gift, meant for someone who was pure of heart and worthy of its grace.

He trusted that God would reveal the Grail to him, if it was his destiny.

One day, King Arthur received a message from a mysterious lady, who called herself the Lady of the Lake. She told him that the Grail was in danger, and that he must send his best knight to protect it from evil forces.

She said that only Sir Lancelot could do this task, as he was the most virtuous, courageous knight in the land.

King Arthur summoned Sir Lancelot and told him about the message. He asked him to go to the forest of Broceliande and find the Grail. He said that he trusted him with this mission, and that he would pray for his success.

Sir Lancelot was quite suprised, because for days he had already been hearing a haunting, sweet, feminine voice inside his confused mind.

It was calling for him to seek

The Holy Grail.

But he hid his many conflicted emotions accepting the quest and said goodbye to King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, who both wished him well. He felt a pang of sadness in his heart, as he did not know if he would ever

see them again.

He mounted his horse and rode away from the castle. He followed the directions given by the Lady of the Lake, until he reached the mysterious forest of Broceliande.

Meanwhile, the Count and Merlin had also arrived at the forest.

They were sure that they would soon find the Grail and claim it as their own, entering the forest, they followed a hidden path that Merlin knew.

They came across a clearing, where they saw a small chapel made of stone. They saw a faint light coming from inside.

Merlin said,

"There it is. The chapel of the Grail. We have found it."

The Count said,

"Excellent. Let us go inside and take what is ours."

He drew his sword and walked towards the chapel, leaving Merlin and the others behind. He pushed open the wooden door and entered.

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,

"The Grail! It is real! It is here!"

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!

Outside, Merlin heard a scream and said,

"What was that? What happened?"

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 had said,

"The Grail! It is real! I must have it!"

So, he rushed to the altar, ignoring the Count's corpse. He grabbed the cup and lifted it to his greedy lips, then drank from it, expecting to only feel eternal life and infinite wisdom. Instead, he had only felt intense, burning sensations in his body.

He dropped the cup and clutched his belly. He realized too late that he must have been poisoned by the Grail's holy power. He collapsed on the floor,

dying.

The other men had seen what happened
and were terrified. So, they ran out of the holy chapel, leaving behind their leader and lord. They quickly mounted their horses fleeing from the dark forest.

But both men had only been knocked unconscious.

Sir Lancelot rides up on his horse seeking
the Holy Grail too.

He hallucinates after holding the Grail that King Arthur saves him from a curse. But he has been knocked out as well. He simply didn't recall drinking from it. King Arthur is still home at his castle and unaware of his activities.

The Dark lord, Kraken,
had been creeping, hiding inside the holy chapel waiting for a chance to steal the Holy Grail at first opportunity. And to take the valuable treasure back to his dark castle.

Sir Lancelot wakes up and sees the chapel empty. He then looks around seeing the bodies of the Count Philip and Merlin.

He becomes aware that the cup is now missing and curses saying,

"The Grail! It is gone! Who took it?"

He runs outside and sees a trail of horse hoofprints leading away from the forest. He mounts his horse and follows them. He says,

"I will not let the Grail fall into the wrong hands. I will find it and bring it back to King Arthur."

He rides for hours, until he reaches a dark and gloomy castle. He sees a banner with a black octopus on it. He recognizes it as the symbol of the Dark Lord, Kraken. He says,

"So, it is him. The most evil and powerful sorcerer in the land. He must have taken the Grail for his own nefarious purposes."

He dismounts his horse and sneaks into the castle. He avoids the guards and makes his way to the throne room. There, he sees Kraken sitting on a throne, holding the Grail in his hand. He says,

"Ah, Sir Lancelot. I've been expecting you. You are too late. I have already drunk from the Grail, and gained its awesome power. I am now immortal and invincible. No one can stop me from ruling and conquering this world."

Sir Lancelot draws his sword and says,

"You lie, Kraken. The Grail is not meant for you. It is meant for the pure of heart, like King Arthur. You are a most foul and wicked creature, unworthy of its grace.

You have only poisoned yourself with its holy power."

He charges at Kraken, hoping to catch him off guard. But Kraken is ready for him. He raises his hand and shoots a blast of dark magic at Sir Lancelot. Sir Lancelot dodges the blast and swings his sword at Kraken's head.

Kraken blocks the sword with his arm, but Sir Lancelot's blade cuts through his wicked flesh and bone. Kraken screams in pain and summons up his hordes of shadow creatures.

Sir Lancelot: (struggling) He is fighting with the heart of a warrior but the shadows swarm him like ants on a ant hill.

"My God, I don't think that I can withstand their relentless assault much longer!"

A resounding horn suddenly pierces the air, capturing Sir Lancelot's attention.

Sir Lancelot: What sorcery is this? A horn?

He gazes upwards, his weary eyes catching sight of the majestic banner, billowing in the wind, his King Arthur's banner, the emblem of the blessed Pendragon.

He hears a shout and sees a cavalry of knights charging into the evil castle. They are led by King Arthur himself, who has come to rescue his friend and reclaim the Grail.

Sir Lancelot: King Arthur! By the sweet heavens, he has come!

With renewed vigor and anger, he wields his bloody sword amidst the sheer violence and bloody gore of the battlefield even more violently!

Sir Lancelot: (with fervor) Arthur! You've arrived in the very nick of time!

King Arthur: (voice resolute) Lancelot, fear not! We shall lend you our forces!

The clash of swords and the thunderous gallop of charging steeds, penetrate through the stench of death hanging in the air. Enveloping the scene in a morbid, fierce atmosphere.

Sir Lancelot: Together, we shall slay and kill this monstrous beast of an abomination!

King Arthur: Aye, Lancelot! Let our blades carve a path to victory!

Undeterred by fatigue, the brave knights of Lancelot and Arthur unite, fighting against the Kracken's hordes with unwavering valor.

Sir Lancelot: (grinning fiercely) Look, Arthur! The tide of the war turns in our favor! We slash a path through their ranks! Shadow creatures are lying dead all over the battlefield!

King Arthur: (eyes ablaze with fury) Our will shall not falter, Lancelot! Our mighty triumph beckons!

Dark storm clouds gather above, the air crackling with arcane energy, as if mirroring the intense conflict below.

Sir Lancelot: (gasping for breath) Arthur, we need a good strategy! A plan to topple this colossal beast!

King Arthur: (yells) Lancelot, distract the Kracken with your prowess! The magician Merlin has join our ranks and he shall weave a spell of

cataclysmic power!

Sir Lancelot lunges at the Kracken, slashing, diverting its attention, while Merlin channels his magic, preparing for an explosive display of sorcery!

Sir Lancelot: (bellowing) "Merlin, unleash your power!"

Merlin: (intoning) By the ancient forces that sent forth our world, I now invoke your fiendish

wrath!

A tempest of lightning and fire surges forth, engulfing the stricken Kracken, its hideous, monstrous, body writhing in pain.

Sir Lancelot: (radiating bravery) Strike now, Excalibur! Find its vulnerable heart!

Sir Lancelot's enchanted, powerful blade sliced through the Kracken's evil, manlevolent heart.
He falls bleeding and howling in defeat.

Kracken: (bellowing in death's agony) Rraaargh!

Sir Lancelot: (exhausted but triumphant) We have vanquished it, Arthur! Together, we are unstoppable!

King Arthur: (grinning fiercely) Indeed, Lancelot! Our valor and unity have forged a path to victory!

King Arthur dismounts his steed, striding toward Sir Lancelot with an outstretched hand, a silent gesture of gratitude and camaraderie.

King Arthur: (gratefully) Lancelot, I owe you a debt of gratitude. Your valor and skill have proven vital in this great endeavor.

Sir Lancelot shows him the Grail and says,

"Look, Arthur. I have it. The Grail. The holy relic we have been searching for."

Arthur says,

"Amazing. You have done it, Lancelot. You have found the Grail."

He takes the Grail and holds it in his hands. He feels a warm and soothing light filling his body. He says,

"It's beautiful. It's...it's..."

He pauses and looks at Sir Lancelot. Seeing something in his eyes that he has never seen before. The king sees love for her!

Guinevere!

He realizes that Sir Lancelot really loves Guinevere, his queen!

He feels a cold and bitter pain piercing his heart, and says,

{"It's... it's a lie!"}

"You yellow belly coward!"

King Arthur drops the Grail and draws his sword and cries,

"You traitor. You have betrayed me. You have betrayed Camelot. I thought you were my most trusted knight!

Sir Lancelot says,

"No, Arthur. No, it's not what you think. I love her, yes, but I have never acted on it. I have always been loyal to you, to your kingdom, to your dream."

Arthur hollared,

"Lies. All lies. I can see it in your eyes. You have been deceiving me all along. You have been plotting with her behind my back. You have been sleeping with her in my bed."

Sir Lancelot pleads,

"No, Arthur, please. Listen to me. It's not true."

Arthur shrieks,

"Enough! I will not listen to your lies anymore. I will not let you ruin everything I have worked for. I will not let you take away the only thing that matters to me."

He swings his sword at Sir Lancelot, hoping to kill him with one blow.

Sir Lancelot blocks the sword with his own, hoping to stop him from making a mistake.


They clash and fight, forgetting everything
else but the desire to draw


Blood!




© Charles Kemp