This is the voice of Merlin. Listen well, for it concerns you. This chronicle commences in the year 2084 A.D. Mankind has virtually destroyed itself. It's survival depends on 'The Final Experiment'. Scientists from the 21st century have developed a new computer program called 'Time Telepathy'. By using this technique they have sent visions of humanities. Decline back in time. These transmissions have been received by the mind of a blind minstrel who lives in 6th century Great Britain. His name... is 'Ayreon'.

It shall be Ayreon's quest to sing of these visions and thus warn the world of its impending downfall in order to change its future in a long and prosperous one. Let us go back to 'The Dark Ages'.

A strange sensation comes over Ayreon, as if something mysterious is about to occur.

Suddenly a vision emerges in Ayreon's ever-black world and he finds himself singing about the horrid projections etched into his brain.

A cry in the silence
A shine in the dark
Like a rising star
The dream is coming
Images of violence a flight through time and pace
It's such a lonely place
The dream has started

The smoke is rising
The vision's getting clearer
And words become a song
In the dreamtime

I've lost control
Marooned and cold
I suffer the fears
Of a future untold
I cannot change
The shape of things to come

The smoke is rising
The vision's getting clearer
The hands of time are whirling around
I'm realising
The future's getting nearer
And words become a song

Abruptly the vision ends and Ayreon recedes into his darkness.

It slowly dawns on Ayreon that these visions he is experiencing are visions of the future but he does not fully comprehend their importance yet.

I cannot see with these eyes
My world is dark
Like a cold eternal night

I could not tell you no lies
My words are lost
In a shroud of mysery

Tell me what you see

I cannot tell you now
I see the world through the eyes of time

Tell me what you feel

I wouldn't know how
I cannot free my mind
From the eyes of time

I do not know where I am
I'm lost in time
Drifting in eternity

I cannot tell if it's real
Or fantasy
Or a view of things to come

I'm still trying to understand
Why do I see the things I see
Could it be a future world
That's warning us through me
I'm still trying to understand
Why do I know the things I know
Doe it mean I'm a god
Will nobody tell me so?

It all gets too confusing for Ayreon and the thin line between illusion and reality fades.

A perceptable tension is hovering above ayreon's hometown. Something is at hand.

The townspeople gather on the market square to judge of Ayreon. Is he a prophet or a charlatan, or even worse: an apparition most unholy?

The villagers accuse ayreon of being the devil's spawn, but Ayreon persists in his innocence.

Have you seen his eyes
Up in the skies
Like hypnotized
And he never smiles
He never cries

Have you heard his song
Fierce and strong
Right or wrong
Should he be condemned
For he doesn't belong

What have I done?

You've aroused the forces of destruction

What have I done?

You've unleashed the rage of the gods

What have I done?

You've denounced the wonder of creation

What have I done?

You've betrayed your own,
Now you have to pay

It has been foretold
In days of old
'n evil soul
Will corrupt the world
To achieve his goal

He's the devil's seed
An evil breed
He's gonna make you bleed
He'll take all he needs
With uncontrolable greed

I've done nothing at all,
No nothing at all

With sticks and torches in hand, the angry villagers drive ayreon out of their demesne.

If I have died, then this must be hell
If I'm alive, I cannot break this gruesome spell
I am seeking relief and finding none
I have fallen into oblivion

A force within dominates my tormented soul
And empowers me to regain absolute control
I shall not yield, for I am the chosen one
Who shall rise from oblivion

Good fate has guided ayreon to camelot, King Arthur's castle, where he is welcomed as a worthy minstrel.

A new horizon
Hear the travellers call
Behold there lies a kingdom
Go forth ye minstrel tall

Sing of your wisdom
Spread tidings of joy
A feast of song and laughter
Ye courtyard minstrel boy

O'dance thee 'round the table
For conquerors and kings
Thou muist win the heart of Gwenhwyfar
Fair maiden of the king

Thy lord thy master
Arthur thee so bold
Heed the words of Ayreon
And thy future will unfold

Sing ye tales of wonder
Whilst ye hide behind the joy
Cast thy spell asunder
Ye courtyard minstrel boy

Sing ye, oh sing ye, courtyard minstrel boy

A day of splendour
How beautiful birds sing
Ladies, lords and masters
And rainbows he would bring

A child's sadness
Sweet dreams, oh princely boy
Let thyn eyes reveal the madness
Ye courtyard minstrel boy

To entertain the court, Ayreon makes up a song about the brave knights of the round table and their journey to the isle of Avalon in search of the Holy Grail.

Noble men in shining armor
Knights of the table-round
Go out and ride like thunder
Cross the sky at the speed of

Sound the horn, 'n blow the trumpets
Upon the castle wall
Now the quest has started
Listen to the prophet's call

Sail away
Sail away to Avalon
The journey has begun
Sail away through the night
Sail away, never die
The gods are at your side
Sail away through the night

Ride on the road to glory
Find the holy grail
And learn the ancient story's
More than just a fairy-

Tale about the key to life
And all its mysteries
You'll find the grail within you
Slay the dragon in your dreams

Ayreon retires in the garden of dreams surrounding Camelot, enjoys the wonders of nature and reflects on his fate. He now fully understands, and reluctantly submits to his destiny.

I can smell the grass
And touch the flowers
Among the trees
I pass the hours
And fantasize
I let the dance of nature
Inspire me
Now my mind is free
From apparitions
I switch off like a 'television'
And close my eyes

And I wish that I could see
Like everybody can
How I wish that I could be
Like any other man

I can't see the sun
But I sense its glow
I hear the sound of water flowing
Down the stream
And my heart cries out
For a little bit love
But I know that it was not meant to be
So I'll fulfil my destiny
And accept my fate

Still I wish that I could see
Like everybody can
How I wish that I could be
Like any other man

The time has come for ayreon to set about his mission. He sings about three main causes of the earth's eventual destruction.