Hey everyone,
This is it! Some might say that the previous chapter was nothing more than a preview to this chapter. But at the same time, this chapter can also be called a preview for the story in general. This chapter is going to be full of the lore I have created and will be the point where the relationships I mentioned get to start off. Like I said, this whole story came to me, because I felt nostalgic and because I believed in the SarahxMerlock ship. By the way, does that ship have a name?
Let me know,

Venquine1990

Chapter 02
Arriving At The Clearing

3rd of May 2418
Tama City, Japan
Merlock's POV

I know that I am drawing the attention of the passing crowds. After all, it's not every day that you see a young man with pale blue skin and purple hair leaning against a tree with his eyes closed and his arms crossed. But while I remember a time where youngsters would pull out their phones and take pictures if they were to see me, now they just pass me by. Still, I hear some of them whisper and know they're trying to cover their mouth while they talk.
But I don't care for this and only look up every so often at the large city clock on the other side of the street. I know I came earlier than I let my friends know, but that's because I'm also meeting some old friends and because I have asked them to help me with my plans. It's now only five minutes to one and just as I close my eyes again, my grin expands. I hear a familiar voice laughing happily and excitedly from my left.

I stand up straight and turn to face Flint as he comes running at me. I give him a big grin, but the young boy surprises me. He jumps up and hugs me as he greets me. I fight back tears of care at how sweet and caring this young man is and greet him back. He lets go off me and I greet his father, Rocky, before I pull a fresh sandwich out of the picnic basket I had brought with me. "Here, Flint. Here's an appetizer."
The boy thanks me with his trademark childlike excitement and wolves down the triangle-shaped bread. Then I sense three presences stopping behind me. I turn my head and see a woman with medium black hair, a man with long curly black hair and a man with long wavy black hair. Only their grins reveal these three to be Petra Fina, Dino and Mite. I send them a short smile and compliment them on their disguises.
The three nod and Flint shows remarkable maturity and understanding as he just greets the three, but doesn't say any names, like he normally does. I spot Petra's eyes twitch once, but she still cordially returns the greeting. I understand that she would rather limit her contact with Flint as much as possible, so I ask him: "So tell me, Flint. How long ago did you decide to run ahead of Sarah and the others, huh?"

My voice is both playful and curious and Flint answers: "About two blocks from here. They shouldn't be too far behind." I am slightly doubtful of this as Flint still seems unaware of how fast he can really go, even after the whole escapade with Muscles the Time Shifter of Strength. But then Flint gets proven right as I spot the Goodmans coming up ahead. And the sight of Sarah takes my breath away, just like it always does.
The beautiful young girl has her hair tied in a braid that is stuck to the back of her head in a twist-like fashion. This both further emphasizes the beautiful curves of her face and the slim size of her neck and shoulders. She's also wearing a pearlescent white-bluish dress with silver beading below her bust, around her waist and at the hem of her knee-length skirt. The skirt has a slight puff to it and the length makes her legs look irresistibly long.
Last night I had various dreams of what Sarah, my beautiful Sarah, might look like if she was wearing a dress instead of her usual shirt and trousers. My dreams had us walking over the beach, picnicking and riding a horse together. But looking at her now I feel like those dreams were an injustice to her beauty. The three reach our location and this time I actually need to shake my head slightly to break free from my stunned stupor at the sight of her beauty.

I quickly regain myself and, like always, summon a dark red rose out of thin air as I say: "Greetings, Tony, Dr. Goodman. And lovely Sarah. Your dress emphasizes your youthful beauty as much as you bring out the splendor of your delightful ensemble." I feel my heart beating slightly faster as I see her cheeks turn red and then I realize that she's actually wearing a slight bit of blush and that there is a dark blue eyeliner under her eyelids.
The fact that Sarah wore make-up to our meeting makes my heart beat even faster as a small hope that she might already return my feelings blooms within me. I hand her the rose and she thanks me and compliments me on my own looks. I normally wear a blue suit with white knee-length socks, a white collar, a red cape and brown shoes. But for the sake of my old friends, I switched my blue shirt for a blood red one and ditched my cape.

I really want to softly let the back of my hand run across the side of Sarah's face, but I keep myself from doing so and silently remind myself that I can do so later. Instead I step back and motion for the forest as I say: "Come, the clearing is this way. I'll show you where it is and why most people have trouble finding it on foot." Everyone nods and once we are deeper into the forest, Dr. Goodman compliments Petra on her disguise.
"Yeah, if I didn't know you were coming, I really wouldn't have recognized you." Tony adds and Petra grins at them as she tells them that that was the point. She tells them the same thing she told me about her reputation and the lot of them grudgingly accept this. Thankfully, Petra is cordial enough that she doesn't throw in an insult or laugh at them. For a few minutes we just walk in silence and I guide them past trees and bushes.
Yet as I let the group into the forest, I could have sworn I saw Tony softly elbow Sarah and heard him whisper told you so. I wonder what that might be about, but I ignore it for now. After about ten minutes, we reach a soft-flowing stream that crosses our path. "This is why most people can't reach the clearing by foot. It's not visible from above, but this stream runs around the whole clearing and is slightly too wide for most people."

I turn to the group and say: "Most citizens never feel like jumping across or waddling through, so they just try to find a way around. Then they realize they've walked a circle and just give up. Ever since I found this place, I've seen about two, maybe three hundred of Tama City's residents do this." The group nods in and I look straight at Sarah as I lovingly tell her that it would be my honor to carry her across the stream.
The girl again turns a light red, but then sends me a loving smile while Flint tells Tony and Dr. Goodman that he'll help them across. Dino and Mite, being anthropomorphic humans who were once a frog and snail just look at each other and shrug before they start to waddle across while Petra easily leaps the distance. Flint takes Tony on one shoulder and Dr. Goodman on the other. And while Tony holds Rocky, Flint leaps across as well.
Instantly I seize my chance and happily take Sarah's lovely form in my arms. My heart sings as she wraps her arms around my neck and I feel like I'm flying as I leap across the stream with her in my arms. And then, on the other side, Sarah makes the whole thing even better. Gently she kisses my cheek and thanks me as she pulls herself out of my now slick hold. I try very hard not to let my body reveal how affected I am by her soft sign of affection.

"Hey Merlock, where's Bindi?" Flint then suddenly asks and Petra adds to this and calls Bindi my flying little snail. I answer them that Bindi is waiting for us in the clearing and then a voice sounds from between the trees. "Merlock? Is that you, little one?" The voice is strong, mature and has a bit of a rough edge to it. My smile widens at the sound and I answer: "Over here, George." And two people approach from the thicket.
One is a woman with long slender legs and arms, who has curly brown hair and dark red eyes, the other is a man whose bulky physique seems to be slightly covered by his outfit, who also has curly brown hair, but has eyes that are closer to purple than red. Both are wearing a pair of dungarees and the man has a green checkered shirt under his, while the woman wears a white shirt under hers. The two also have huge grins on their faces.

"There you are, little one. We haven't seen you in forever." The man says and I happily grab him by the elbow and he does the same. Then I approach the woman and hug her tight against my form as she says: "It's so good to see you, Merlock. We missed you." I return the phrase and the woman pushes me at arm's length as she looks me up and down. I smile at her for this. "You've grown a few inches, your hair is longer and you've improved your health. Good on you."
"Merlock, are these – your parents?" Tony asks, but I shake my head and say: "No, there's another reason they treat me like this. Come with me to the clearing and I'll explain everything." Yet then I notice that the man has spotted Sarah and that he seems to be studying her. The others look between the man and Sarah a few times. Slowly a grin grows on the man's face and he elbows me just like I thought I saw Tony elbow Sarah.

"Good on you, lad. I told you, didn't I? Didn't I tell you?" The man asks, but this actually upsets me. I really don't want him to reveal my feelings for Sarah or her role in my life and future until I can do so myself. And so I push his elbow away and grumble Shut up, George. Not now. Then I continue to lead the others further into the forest. George and the other woman share a confused look, but they and the others follow me.
I reach two willow trees that have their vines, branches and leaves form a curtain in front of me and pull the curtain apart as I step aside to let the others through. "Here, this is the clearing. Step on through, please." Everyone does as asked and, bar the two newcomers, they all gasp and let out sounds and words of amazement. All of this makes a huge grin of joy grow on my face and I happily step through the curtain myself and let it fall closed behind me.

The clearing is in one word splendid. Grass that's as green as on paintings, a few small white, golden and pink flowers growing in clusters across the field, a brook that is shaped like a snowman with the head about to fall off to the right and a formation of rocks at the top left side of the smaller circle with a soft stream of water crackling down from the formation. There are only a few trees that have branches growing into the clearing as all other trees are willows.
And because it's midday and because the trees with the branches sticking out are on exactly the right side of the clearing, the early May sun breaks through the branches and leaves and this creates pools of light that are reflected off of the surface of the water. This further emphasizes the natural beauty of the clearing and creates a magnificent sight. Flint runs over to crouch down at the edge of the brook and looks down as he says:
"Wow! Look dad, the water is so clear. Have you ever seen anything like it? How amazing!" And Rocky's eyes show up as he says: "I know, son. I wonder how deep it is. I've never seen a brook so clear and beautiful before." I smile at this and explain how that's because of precious minerals that are located at the very bottom of the brook. They're aquamarine in color and reflect sunlight to give the water an even lighter blue shine.

I admit that I designed the blue color of my usual suit after the brook and Sarah exclaims: "I can understand that. That brook is beautiful. This whole place is incredible." Everyone nods in agreement, even my old friends, and Petra comments on how she finds it brilliant of herself that she accepted my invitation. At this I decide that it's time I introduce my old friends to my new friends, even though part of me wonders why only George and Sandy are here.
"Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to Sandy and George. Two old friends of mine. Sandy, George, these are Petra Fina, Dino and Mite. They were adversaries of mine, but they also helped me in the battle against the Dark Lord, thus I invited them along." The five mentioned people nod at each other and I continue. "This is Flint Hammerhead and his father Rocky. They are cavemen. They were fossilized by Petra and de-fossilized by Dr. Goodman over there."

George's eyes had widened slightly when he had heard Rocky talk with his son, but now he just laughs as Flint happily waves at the two of them. He and Sandy also nod in respect to Dr. Goodman, who nods back at them. And just like always my heartbeat increases as I say: "And these are the Goodman twins. Tony, Dr. Goodman's nephew, and Sarah, his niece." The twins greet my friends and George replies:
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Especially you, Sarah." And as he says this, he winks at me. I just frown back at him as Sarah looks on confused. I huff through my nose to let George know that he needs to stop annoying me. Sandy also spots this and turns stern and concerned as she says: "Bad news, Merlock. My vines and Henrietta's weeds will only keep Adam for another 30 minutes." Instantly fear grips at my heart.

"That's less time than I anticipated, but – I think I can make it work." I mutter to myself and Sarah asks what's wrong. Instantly I panic for a moment as I wonder how I can explain this to her. But then my many hours of planning from the last few weeks come back to me. I take a deep – and slightly unnecessary breath – and say: "Listen everyone, it's not just out of respect for all you have done for me that I want to share my past with you.
It's also because my kind and culture have both a sense of beauty to them – and a potential for trouble. I just – I want you all to be aware of this, so you can help me defend myself and each other if it comes down to it. And after the battle in the Land of Time, I noticed signs that this might be coming. Because of this, I have worked the last two months on a potential solution. One that I feel 80% sure of can solve all problems in one go.
If you can help me solve these problems now, I can help you enjoy the beauty of my world and kind in peace for years to come. So please, spread your blankets, sit down and let me give you a summarized version of the explanation I planned to give you." There is definitely worry on the faces of my friends and a slight look of distrust on Petra's face, but they thankfully all nod and comply. Though Petra seats herself on the other side of the brook, I don't really care for this.

Sandy also elbows George as he raises an eyebrow at how Sarah goes to sit with her brother and Dr. Goodman before the former two join me on my own blanket. I happily give Flint my picnic basket and he runs over to the others with it, his usual childlike laughter easing my concerned heart. And while he starts to wolf down on the other sandwiches I had prepared, I start my explanation. "As you know, I'm a Vampire. What you don't know is that I am nearing my first millennium in age."
Instantly everyone stares at me and even Flint freezes in shock, his mouth wide open and a sandwich halfway up to his mouth. George laughs and declares that I'm the youngest of us. Tony scrambles a little in shock and Mite and Dino fall over as Sandy tells them that there is 550 years between me and the Eldest of our clan, Adam. Amazingly enough Sarah reacts more with intrigue than shock to this news. Instantly I take this as a way to start the story.

"What I have to tell you mostly revolves around Adam and his role to my clan. Adam was born during a time where feuds, child death and rivalries between families were as normal as jeans and sneakers are today. Adam met Amarella when he was still young, only a child, but he quickly got into his heritage and Amarella was of a rivaling house. His parents accepted his vampiric side and even covered for him when he sucked Amarella dry."
Tony whitens a little at this and Flint actually puts the sandwich back in the basket as he listens attentively. I sigh and say: "Thirty years later, Adam came to a horrifying discovery. Amarella was his soul mate, the one he was meant to be with for the rest of his eternal life. And nothing is worse to a vampire than losing your Soul Mate, your One as we call them. A vampire that loses their soul mate goes irrational, just to fill the emptiness in their soul."

Sandy continues and says: "Sometime after Adam made this realization, the eldest of our clan died, thus making Adam the eldest. This means that, when the clan really has need of him, his irrationality disappears and he can take on the role as our leader. Unfortunately, that is a rare occurrence and he usually just tries to, as Merlock said, fill the void. In his irrationality, he would even do so with the Ones of other Vampires."
Then George continues: "Four hundred years ago, we managed to get Adam to go to New York City. I don't think I need to explain why that is, but both our observations and Merlock's have proven one thing. It's only a matter of time until Adam is done with New York and then – he'll come after us." Instantly Tony and Dr. Goodman gulp while Dino and Mite grab onto Petra, both of them shaking in horrid fright.

I sigh and Sandy says: "Now it is true that I am mentally the second strongest of the vampires, so I'll be able to resist Adam's orders. But I am also physically the second weakest. The only real protection I have against Adam is my control over vines and loose hanging branches. I can use those, if present, to entangle Adam. George is the second strongest and so he can knock Adam out if he tries. We've had to resort to this to escape Adam a few times now."
Then George goes on: "Then there's Henrietta and David. Henrietta has the ability to grow weeds and Adam is allergic to one of those. They knock him out cold. David also has control over the shadows and while he is large and bulky, he can slink down to disappear into any shadow. Like with us, they've had to use these methods to escape Adam a few times now." The others look awed and Tony asks if Adam will go after me because of this.

I sigh, gulp and take a deep breath as I realize it's now or never. And for a second I feel like I'm not ready and that this happened much faster than I had anticipated or planned on. But then Bindi, who has been in the clearing the whole time, again lies her tentacle on my shoulder and I can almost feel her love and care for me through the simple touch. The sensation calm my raging nerves. I speak. "Yes, but that has another reason.
Like George found Sandy and like David has Henrietta, I too have a soul mate, someone Adam will go for the minute he finds out. And – I don't think I need to tell you who that person is. Who it is that has had my heart and soul in the palm of her hands since the moment I first laid eyes on her." And instantly all eyes are on Sarah, who is beat red and wide eyed. The expression would be adorable if I wasn't so worried for her safety.

Then Flint proves to me why he's my friend as he angrily asks: "How do we protect her? How do we stop Adam from coming after her?" I give him a warm, full-on smile and say: "It is true that a vampire cannot mentally survive without their One. However, it is unfortunately not entirely uncommon for vampires to lose their One or for them to be born and die before the birth of their one. But there is also a 1 in 500 chance for there to be a One – replacement.
Someone who is almost like a reincarnation of the original or someone who has similarities to the One, but who also has something that the One didn't have, but that can complement the vampire in question. And that, Petra Fina, is where you come in." This time all heads turn to the woman, who looks shocked even though she knows this was one of my reasons for inviting her. I grin at her and explain how I studied Amarella with permission from Miss Grey.
"You and her have three things in common. You are both royalty or at least descend from a noble line, you both don't take no for an answer and will do whatever it takes to have your way and you're both hopeless romantics. If anything, your incredible strength of character is even stronger than Amarella's and she was a force to be reckoned with, at least for her age and time. You are exactly what and who Adam needs."

Everyone of my friends as well as Dino and Mite are looking between me and Petra. But while I notice Sandy grinning at me, I also notice that George is studying Petra just like he was studying Sarah earlier. The man has a raised eyebrow, his chin in his hand and a concentrated look on his face as he looks Petra up and down a few times. "You know what, Merlock?" He asks and then grins at me as he says: "I think you're right. By the souls, I think you're right."
Sandy nods and says: "I see it too. There is something there. A very faint aura that surrounds her, as if a bond is trying to form, but the recipients aren't close enough for the bond to draw strength from. It's a beautiful sight, indeed." Petra raises her own eyebrow at this and asks if they're really sure. Both Sandy and George nod and I tell them that Sandy is 512 years older than me and George 468. Again the whole group is shocked.

Then suddenly two others burst through the curtain of branches behind me. One is a woman with her hair tied in several braids that run down her back and the other is a man whose hair is just long enough he can tie it in a ponytail in the nape of his neck. "Merlock, Adam will wake in about ten minutes. He's already had a moment of consciousness and he smelled her. He smelled a fresh maiden. He mumbled it before I pushed a weed into his nose."
Instantly everyone's on their feet and on high alert and Flint has his father in both hands in front of him. To my shocked relief, Sarah also runs for me and comes to stand behind me, her hands in the back of my shirt. I wrap an arm around her to comfort and reassure her and say: "He could mean either Sarah or Petra. Sandy told me that there is already a bond forming between them. All we need to do is keep Sarah out of his sight and focus that on Petra instead."

I turn to face the woman and say: "I'm sorry that I am playing matchmaker here for the sake of my friends. I know that's why you left your home behind all those years ago." The woman huffs and finally pulls off her disguise. Dino and Mite follow and she says: "I hated those, because they were for my mother's financial benefit, not out of love. I want romance. Can you guarantee that if I go through with this, I will get it?"
I smile at her and chorus with my friends: "A vampire is a true Romeo to his One, his Juliet." Tony and Dr. Goodman look a little weirded out at this and I say: "And besides, you've seen how I treat Sarah. Adam will treat you just the same. The biggest difference is that he will adjust his romantic gestures to your liking instead." At this Petra grins and I notice a strong sense of satisfaction in her grin. And my heart beats in relief as she says: "Alright, I'm in."

Good on you, Petra.
Okay, so I thought this chapter was going to be long, but then the whole "30 minutes" thing came into play – that was planned by the way – and I decided to speed up most of the story and just leave the rest of the explanation for later. There is still more and Merlock is going to explain the rest of the problems, but he also knows that, once Adam is back to being himself, he can be the one to solve the other problems and Merlock can calmly explain everything.
Next chapter: Merlock is in for a little surprise and the whole group is in for a large one. A little something that Adam never told anyone is going to get revealed while Merlock also talks about his other reasons for wanting to do this now. And both Sarah and Petra get to experience just what it means when you have a Vampire in love with you. But wait, Sarah also has something she wants to tell Merlock? What it is?
Find out,

Venquine1990