Chapter Ten: Temple of the Grail

The monastery was crumbling around our heroes as they walked through the courtyard. The sands of time (as well as, well, sand) had piled up in the structure, burying many of the ancient stone buildings.

Puss felt a shiver down his spine as he felt someone, or something, was watching him. In the corner of his eye, he saw a hooded wolf figure standing in the monastery's cemetery, silently watching him.

"Hola," called out Puss to the wolf, "is somebody there?" The wolf simply pointed to the main chapel with a blank expression on his face.

"Who are you talking to," asked Kitty, causing Puss to jump. Then he rapidly turned to her.

"María Madre de Dios," said Puss as he caught his breath, "you scared me."

"I thought you didn't feel fear," taunted Kitty.

"I don't," said Puss, "normally. But given everything going on, I feel very uneasy. I could have sworn I saw a hooded lobo standing around here."

Puss pointed to the cemetery. Kitty looked amongst the graves and saw… only stone crosses.

"You're starting to see things," said Kitty, "maybe you should go see a shrink."

"I swear on my still living mother's future grave," said Puss, "there was a wolf there." He extended a paw and pointed to the main chapel. "He didn't say a damn thing. Just pointed there."

"Catacombs are probably under the chapel," said Brother Carlos aloud.

"Hmh," Kitty grunted, "maybe he was an angel trying to help."

"The only angel this guy could be is the Angel of Death," replied Puss.

They made their way in, unaware that just outside the gate was Beauchat and the five remaining soldiers.

"Oh yes," said Beauchat to himself, "I am a very bad kitty! Hahahaha!"

Back inside, Puss and his party made it into the chapel, finding a mausoleum with an empty doorway leading into the catacombs. On the one barren wall was a mural depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Puss noted there was a woman holding a chalice at the feet of the Son. Below the mural was an inscription written in Latin.

"Christus mortuus est, Christus resurrexit, Christus resurget," read the inscription.

"Padre," asked Puss, "what does that mean?"

"Christ has died," replied Brother Carlo, "Christ has risen, Christ will come again. According to the legend," he continued, "only by taking faith in Him will one's soul be worthy to drink from the Grail."

"What if they aren't," asked Puss.

"I've heard many stories," answered Brother Carlos, "but they all involve eternal damnation."

"So," said Puss as he felt a lump in his throat, "if I'm not worthy and I drink it, I go to Hell."

"Si," replied the monk, "that's what eternal damnation means."

"Bonjour," called out Beauchat from behind, holding Kitty and Aladdin hostage, "if it isn't my old nemesis. Once again, you do the hard part for me."

"Vete al infierno," replied Puss.

"You first," said Beauchat. Then he turned to his men, "Get the monk for me." Brother Carlos raised his hands to surrender.

"Remember Puss," said Brother Carlos, "have faith."

"Shut up," said Beauchat.

"Don't give him a fucking thing," said Aladdin.

"You're messing with forces you can't possibly understand," warned Brother Carlos, "this will not end well for you."

"Oh, I understand power," said Beauchat, "in fact, I'll show you an example. Kill the moor."

"No," said Puss, Brother Carlos, and Kitty in unison as one of the soldiers slit Aladdin's throat.

"Damn you," said Kitty, "you sadistic charlatan!"

"So what," said Beauchat, "once Puss comes back with the Grail, I'll be able to live forever."

"I highly doubt that anyone in this room is worthy of the Grail," said Puss, "why bother?"

"Have faith Puss," said Brother Carlos.

"Sure," said Beauchat as he brandished a dagger in front of Kitty, "give him some hope. Your turn Kitty."

"Puss," said Kitty, "Beauchat is an asshole and he doesn't deserve the Grail."

"Tell me something I don't know mi amor," replied Puss.

"You're better than you think Puss," said Kitty, "I wouldn't love you if you weren't."

Puss looked into the doorway and took a deep breath as he walked in. He inched his way into a narrow chamber with crumbling statues of the twelve apostles. He heard a gust of wind blow past him and saw a jet of white smoke rush to his right. He suddenly found himself reciting something without his control as he walked further into the depths.

"I believe in one God," said Puss as he passed by tomb after tomb, "the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible."

Just then, a spike trap shot out, with Puss instinctively leaping out of the way. "I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God." He then got up and continued, watching his step. "Born of the Father before all ages."

He then approached a narrow ledge, which since he was a cat and not a human, was significantly easier, though Puss was still cautious. "God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God."

The white smoke reappeared and waved him on. "Begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made."

He made his way into another chamber with more tombs, with murals depicting the Stations of the Cross on the wall. "For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven."

Just then, a very low circular disc swung at Puss, forcing him to bow his head to avoid decapitation. "And by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man."

Puss got back up and continued, walking into a very large chamber that resembled a chapel, complete with a giant crucifix hanging from the far side.

"For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate," said Puss as he looked up at the crucifix. "He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."

On top of the altar sat a dusty, cheap looking chalice. "He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end."

The white smoke circled around the Grail before vanishing from Puss's eyes. "I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets."

Puss picked up the Grail before finishing his monologue, heading for an adjacent water source. "I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come." Puss scooped up some water with the Grail. "Amen."

Puss felt his heart race as he stared at the Grail in his paws, fearing everlasting torment if he drank from it and was unworthy.

—-

"Watch your step," said Beauchat as he led the remaining group along the ledge.

"Puss was right about you," said Brother Carlos, "you are a coward and a scoundrel. If you drink from the cup without repenting, you are damned."

"I'm a devilishly handsome scoundrel," replied Beauchat, "and I'm pragmatic, not a coward." Beauchat accidentally hurling his dagger into the leg of one of his soldiers.

"Aaagghh," screamed the soldier as he winced in pain, before loosing his balance and falling into the black void.

"You sick bastard," said Kitty, "underneath all that sophistication, you are just a sociopath."

"Oh please," said Beauchat, "once I become immortal, you'll find me irresistible."

—-

"Father," said Puss as he prepared himself, "I do not think I am worthy. I only ask your permission before I drink."

He took a sip of the sweet, cold water and felt… calm. His heart rate slowed down and Puss felt pure bliss, only alerted by the sound of two men screaming in the other room.

"Bon sang," said Beauchat as he, Kitty, Brother Carlos and the two remaining soldiers. "Good help is impossible to find!"

"Puss," said Kitty as she ran up and hugged him, "you're alive!" Puss dropped the Grail and hugged her back.

"I drank it," said Puss, "and I'm still here."

"I told you that you aren't so bad," said Kitty, "just a troublemaker."

"Alright, fuck this," said Beauchat, as he went a picked up the Grail, "if you, a pathetic sinner hiding in bravado is worthy of the Grail, then so am I!"

A loud gust of wind echoed throughout the chamber as Beauchat scooped up some water. "Don't do it," warned Brother Carlos.

"Silence," ordered Beauchat, "it's time to become a god."

"Are you sure about this," asked a soldier.

Beauchat threw a throwing knife at his chest, killing him instantly. "I'm really fucking sure," said Beauchat.

"Screw this," said the last soldier as he walked for the exit, "I'm out!"

"Chatte," muttered Beauchat before taking a sip.

Beauchat then dropped the Grail and took a deep breath, waiting for something to happen. Then, after about ten seconds he sighed, disappointed.

"C'est tellement stupide," said Beauchat, not noticing his eyes turning red, "I haven't felt a damn thing."

"Uh, Emile," said Kitty, pointing at the ghostly figures rushing around behind him, "you might want to rethink that statement."

Beauchat turned and saw the figures.

"I don't like this," said Puss.

"It's happening," said Brother Carlos.

Beauchat gazed at the ghostly figures, who took the form of beautiful women, eyes wide open and his mouth agape in awe. "This is beautiful," he said.

Then, the figures morphed together into a giant, snarling wolf's head with glowing red eyes that growled at Beauchat, forcing everyone in the room to scream in sheer terror.

"Remember you are dust," said the wolf, "and to dust you shall return!"

Beauchat suddenly burst into flames, yet was not burning. He screamed in terror as the wolf disappeared and the white smoke circled around him.

"Help me Puss," he cried.

Puss knew there was nothing he could do. Even though he was horrified, Puss didn't think he could save his nemesis from the literal wrath of God.

Cracks appeared in the ground around Beauchat, emitting an ominous red light. Then several charred, bony arms burst out the earth, grabbing Beauchat all over, tearing away at his flesh. Beauchat continued to scream as he was torn down to the bone.

But that wasn't the last of this gruesome process, as Beauchat's skeleton, still engulfed in fire, began to plead for mercy.

"I didn't mean to do it God," he cried. "Puss, Duloc wasn't personal. For Christ's sake," said the skeleton as he began to melt, sinking into the depths of Hell, "save me."

"I can't," said Puss, knowing how futile his efforts would be, "you did this to yourself."

"Hahahaha," an especially sinister laugh boomed from below as the last of liquid Beauchat vanished before the ground closed.

—-

It was now night, and Puss and Kitty found themselves looking at the stars outside the chapel.

"I'm thinking of hitting the gym when we get back to Barcelona," said Puss, "this power of God thing feels great."

"Personally," said Kitty, "I think you're handsome enough."

"Really," asked Puss.

"No," said Kitty, "you're a complete dipshit."

"You're bluffing," said Puss.

"Am I," asked Kitty.

"Yes," said Puss.

"Well Puss," said Kitty, "what are you gonna do about it?"

Puss said nothing as he kissed Kitty.

—-

Author's Note: Sorry this took so long to update. School started back up again and I got a little bored with this. The last chapter should be out within a week and I plan on writing the next Puss In Boots adventure shortly after. As always, I'm looking forward to hearing from my loyal readers. Also fun fact, that speech that Puss recited is called the Nicene Creed, which essentially the core beliefs you need to be a Christian and is recited at the beginning of a Catholic mass.