I AM MERLIN. And this is all of space and time. Pretty, isn't it? 
- — Merlin
Demon Knights #4 is an issue of the series Demon Knights (Volume 1) with a cover date of February, 2012. It was published on December 14, 2011.
Synopsis for "Merlin Watches the Storm"
As Exoristos and Shining Knight express their horror and outrage that the Horde has just brutally murdered Audofleda, Shining Knight is struck with a vision. Outside of space and time Shining Knight and Merlin meet. Merlin shows Shining Knight the Holy Grail and explains that it represents many different things and then shatters it on the ground. Merlin next shows Shining Knight a vision of the last time they saw each other in reality - the fall of a Camelot different than before.
In the vision Ystina is dying, wounded in combat. Merlin tells Ystina that Artus the Bear King is in Avalon before allowing the dying squire to drink from the Holy Grail. He states he is interested by Ystina's duality. As the Grail grants Ystina long life, the watching Shining Knight realizes what she quests for now, the hunger she always feels. Merlin explains that first the resurrected Shining Knight sought the beasts that destroyed Camelot and when she found none, began her insatiable quest. Along the way, she saved her horses's life with her own blood which granted long life to the horse as well. Merlin then reveals that this is not the first time Shining Knight has had this vision.
In Little Spring Shining Knight's comrades are trying to wake the vision-struck warrior. When Shining Knight mutter's Merlin's name nearly incoherently, Jason Blood becomes enraged. Back in the vision Merlin entrusts Shining Knight to return the Grail to him. He states that the quest will bring choices of the heart, an evil that dominates the spirit, and the loss of everyone Ystina loves.
Merlin tells Shining Knight that the quest can be turned down. Shining Knight accepts steadfastly, Merlin is pleased by his response stating that he always accepts. Merlin tells of his watching of storms and energy from the beginning of creation and the cosmic signs they provided. Mentally weakened by his research Merlin cast the Grail into a wormhole of sorts in some pit of the Earth. Merlin was confident that the Grail would reappear somewhere on Earth within a couple of decades, but centuries have passed and his searches have been fruitless.
Merlin returns Ystina to his body with a renewed sense of hope. Meanwhile the Questing Queen awakes in her mobile fortress and tells Mordru of her vision from Merlin about retrieving the Grail. Back at Little Spring, Horsewoman fatally fires two arrows into the officer that killed Audofleda before turning her bow towards Exoristos and firing an arrow into her stomach.
Appearing in "Merlin Watches the Storm"
Featured Characters:
- Shining Knight (Origin) (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
- Exoristos
- Jason Blood
- Vandal Savage
- Horsewoman
- Merlin (Flashback and main story)
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Artus the Bear King (Mentioned only)
- Demon Knights (First appearance)
Locations:
- Alba Sarum
- Avalon (Flashback only)
- Camelot (Mentioned only)
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- Although the "team" called Demon Knights is mentioned the members of the group do not yet call themselves the Demon Knights nor do they recognize themselves as part of the group. This is the first appearance of the name itself.
- Merlin's mentioning of "watching storms" is also a nod to the Demon Knights later name.