~Race of the Light~
Part 2
by Ami Quinton


Disclamiers: Oh do I have to? . He hee you know all this nonsense already. The characters I use from Flint don't belong to me. (How cruel...if I had created Merlock I'd have fans from all over the world^^) I need to first thank everyone for such nice reviews! :D I'm so inspired....;-; And thanks to a really awesome dream this story is going to get more interesting. (As I hope it is anyway^^) There is no avoiding some explanation scenes and all that....so I promise by next chapter there will be some more action! ^^ (Not that this is really intended to be an action fic...) Oh and to all who still think Merlock and Sara belong together...a nice big :P!!!!!!! Sorry folks but Bindi-Master could outdo her ANY DAY.....now on to part 2. Enjoy ^_^



Merlock lagged behind as the odd group of Bindi the Time Shifter, Taal the vampire dragon, Kila the human with an affinity for vampires, and himself walked down a long rocky path with a slight upgrade. Around them was an IMMENSE forest which could be seen traveling up the mountainous area in a sea of green. He stared at the ground, kicking a few rocks here and there, as he thought of how he just got here.

Taal told them that he had some limited powers of teleportation. With those words he dug a shallow trench around them, made some sort of weird chanting sounds, and poof....they were here, in this unknown territory, and heading to a castle in the distance. When asked why he couldn't just transport them to the front door, Taal huffed and replied, "Because it's not allowed!", as if they should know or something. Yeah whatever.
Merlock nearly walked right into Kila as the group came to a stop. Taal held a claw up. "You must wait here, while I go inform his Lord that you've arrived." Kila's body was being racked with shivering...it was COLD here. She clutched her full-length gray coat more tightly to her. "S-S-Sure Taal, just hurry it up! I'm fa-fa-fa-freezing!" The dragon-bat grinned at her. "Awww....I did forget to mention that. Trallien loves cold climate...I can do nothing about it! When we get inside I'll make it up to you with a nice warm fire..." He trailed off, just ending his words by flying off toward the castle, streaking through the evening air like a black cloud. Merlock just blinked for a moment, still quite vexed that he was in this whole situation. He caught sight of Kila shivering uncontrollably, as well as Bindi. He himself was not affected by cold...he could very well understand that part. Softly he stepped over to Kila and wrapped his burgundy cape around her. "There is that better?" Her emerald green eyes looked up at him with gratitude. "Oh thanks Merlie...geez it's cold here! Where are we? The Arctic Circle?" Bindi nudged herself between them. "Hey don't forget a-a-a-about me!" Merlock faintly smiled and let Bindi join in on the rather amusing huddle. But they weren't going to be there long.

Kila was first to notice that they had probably been standing there a good ten minutes with someone watching. Without saying a word she tugged on Merlock's cape and pointed up the road. His eyes followed her direction and fell upon the silhouette of an unknown figure. "I wonder if that-" He didn't even have time to finish his sentence. This figure was suddenly right in front of them. Kila was so startled she ducked behind Merlock, as did Bindi, their eyes wide. The poor Victorian vampire just stood there with a large sweatdrop on his head, his eyes fixed on the man before him.
"Greetings..."The voice was imposing. "....I humbly welcome all of you to my abode."
Kila crawled out from under the cape. "Hmmm...you must be Trallien! Geez you nearly scared the very life out of me...always make entrances like that?"
The man chuckled, walking a step or two closer. He was quite visible now, as he had stepped into a ray of light from the full moon. The night's sun cascaded down onto his long hair as it blew about in the chilly breeze. "I did not mean to frighten you....please follow me inside. I can assure you it's much warmer inside." He turned around and began walking down the path. With a shrug, Kila and Merlock followed, with Bindi still hiding behind the cape.

~~

Oh what relief! Once inside the warmth of a crackling fireplace and an old furnace brought such smiles to the group's faces. All except Merlock, who wasn't even affected by the outside air anyway. Kila made her way over to the fireplace, glancing around as she did so. The castle was quite old, this she could tell. It's looming stone walls looked cracked and worn. But every piece of furniture and carpeting in the place looked well kept indeed. While she was warming her hands over the fire, she felt something land on her head. "I promised you a fire, didn't I sweetie?" He hung over and peered into her face. Kila laughed and pulled him off, placing him on the mantle. "You're something else, you know that?"
"Taal is my loyal friend, and protector. But please forgive his manner." It was Trallien, Kila caught site of him just as he sat down in a red velvet chair. She could now see clearly his intense brown eyes and muscular chest....he wasn't wearing any shirt, just a pair of dojo style white pants. For the moment Kila was staring at him....
"So....Trallien...Taal said you wanted to meet me. I'm quite curious to know why?" Merlock said as he too sat down. Bindi floated into his lap, still looking nervous around this strange guy. Trallien smiled warmly, exposing his own fangs which looked far more threatening than Merlock's ever did. It hampered the nature of his smile quite a bit. "As I'm sure Taal has told you, Mr. Holmes, I'm trying to find a few missing "links" of my kind. Ahhh but I do remember you..." he got up and approached Merlock, causing him to stand up almost in defense. He just wasn't sure if he could trust this guy yet! Merlock smiled nervously at him. "Y-You do?"
"Yes...I'm so glad to see you're doing well. Seems you never did regret your decision." The master vampire then looked to Kila. "You deserve much for helping him...ask my dear...anything you want you can have." He sounded dead serious. Kila blinked at him. "Whoa...that's a nice offer....but...." She smiled awkwardly.
"Helping him?" Bindi asked, who still was making sure she was not more than a half-inch from Merlock's side at all times. Taal came over and sat on his master's shoulder. Trallien eyed Bindi. "Yes, helping him. As you have I see. The same offer extends to you, little Time Shifter." Bindi smiled, some of her fear waning away. "Oooo really? Anything?? Even a nice---" She was cut off by Merlock putting a hand over her face, causing the rest of her words to be muffled. "That isn't necessary Trallien." Merlock gave Bindi that "look". At this point Trallien was laughing. Everyone just fell silent and blinked at him, sweatdrops everywhere. He stopped rather abruptly and shook his head. "I'm so sorry....I suppose I am confusing you terribly. Please, let us go to the dinner table and there I can answer any of your questions." All nodded to that, and headed for the dining room.

When they entered their noses where hit with fabulous smells. The very large antique table was overstuffed with food of every imaginable type! Bindi of course eyed the desserts with much interest before finding her seat in Merlock's lap again after he sat down. Trallien pulled out a chair for Kila before he himself took a seat at the head of the table. A lady stepped out from the kitchen, a broad smile on her face, as she brought out a bottle of chilled wine. "Hello there, friends. I'm Kessa, I'll be serving you."
Merlock blinked at her. The incredible sensation he was getting from this lovely lady sent chills down him, began to stir up his vampiric nature just the slightest. He fought it back. Kila returned the smile. "Wow such nice people here! Nice to meet ya Kessa, I'm Kila." She got up to shake the lady's hand, which seemed to surprise her. Holding out a glass she offered some wine. "It's the finest Merlot. You should see Trallien's wine cellar!" she winked as she poured. "Ooo Merlot....that's Merlie's favorite!" Kila grinned as she looked to him. Merlock just nodded, his eyes then averting to the delicate china plate before him. Kessa was starting to make him feel overpowered....he mentally cursed himself for being a fool again....
As if Trallien knew, he gently signaled Kessa to leave. As she did Merlock instantly felt more in control of himself, and with a grateful sigh took a sip of his wine. This caused him to smile widely. "Oh my! This is wonderful!"
"You like huh? See that master he approves!" Taal slightly elbowed Trallien, who seemed pleased. "I'm glad...my memory hasn't failed me yet!"
"Memory?" Merlock looked at Trallien curiously. "You seem to know an awful lot about me, and yet I can't seem to remember anything about you!"
Kila nodded in agreement. "Yeah it's awfully strange..."
The smile upon the Lord's face faded. "Yes...I know. It seems a bit of my power backfired, and caused some of my clan to lose their memory of their beginnings." He shook his head. "It's very difficult to explain."
"So Merlock is one of those who got the amnesia, if you will? Actually I think I understand a little bit." Kila said as she started on dinner, slicing herself a piece of roast.
Trallien grinned at her. "That's right. And so I need to find these unfortunate ones and try to correct the problem."
Merlock looked a bit stunned. His beginnings?? "You mean....I haven't always been this way?" His eyes searched Trallien, looking confused.
"I'm afraid not. Would you like me to explain it now then?" He finished off an entire glass of wine before setting it down. The young vampire's response was a slow nod of the head. Trallien folded his arms on the table. "Well then let me take you back to the year of 1785..."

~~~The seventeen year old Merlock Holmes walked down the streets of his hometown, limply carrying his artist's supplies. His eyes were full of tears. He had just been informed that his mother, who had been fighting illness, had passed away the other night. She was all the way in France. He would have no way of attending her funeral, since he was as broke as one could get, and had no money to get there, and no transportation either. Deciding to get away from the world for a moment, he sadly made his way into the forest behind his town and went to his secret area.

It was here, in this serene clearing deep within the forest, with a sparkling stream nearby and the musical melody of many birds, that he could just forget all of life's sorrow....and paint. Painting was his life, his only real talent. He set his easel down and set to work drawing some fantastic fantasy world. This is why everyone at the art school laughed at him, saying he was wasting his time drawing such nonsense, that he should draw people and places and normal things that painters draw. Ha! Why should he draw people? He was only an outcast to all of them. Their faces were not worth his effort! His eyes widened as he realized what his hands were doing, the brush began to tremble in his hand. He had begun to draw a visage of his mother. The very soul within his heart shattering, he tore it up to pieces, threw the brush away, and sank to his knees in fitful sobs. "Mother....mother...."

At that very moment there was a flurry of golden feathers before his face as something landed directly in front of him. Merlock shot up to his feet and found himself staring face to face with...
"Are-are you angel??" he gasped, seeing the winged man before him, his brown eyes intently staring.
He grinned slyly. "No, but thanks for the compliment. You are Merlock Holmes I presume, the rather famous magician?"
The stunned Victorian blinked at him. "How did you know that?" He was not really quite "famous" anymore, his act of Merlock the Magnificent long faded, but it still surprised him that this man knew about it.
"Ahh but I know these things, my young man. Tell me...would you truly like to get away from all this sadness that surrounds you?" He folded his wings tightly against his back and approached a few steps closer. Merlock stared at the ground. "Yes, I...." his eyes began to tear again. "I do...I can't take it anymore..." He covered his face with his hands.
"I can help you! But dear child...the offer is up to you. I would never force anyone to join my clan." The winged visage put a comforting hand to Merlock's shoulder, seeing his renewed tears.
"Help me? Clan? I'm sorry I don't think I quite understand, sir....." His ruby red eyes blinked away tears as he gazed at him.
"The name is Trallien." He said with a smile. "And by clan I speak of my race....the Day vampires."
VAMPIRES??? Merlock backed away several feet, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and fascination.
Trallien sighed and grinned, closing his eyes. "Do not fear me. I intend no harm, I promise you."
"But you...you said you're a ...." Merlock stood his ground but he was shaking, despite the calm nature of the man he spoke to.
"Yes...but do not mistake me for my evil cousins, the Nights." His eyes narrowed. "Never....never would I do what those....those monsters do....those who stalk the night, killing as they feed, wasting lifeforce as they relentlessly spill it upon the ground in their murdering frenzy..." Rather than being comforting Trallien was only making poor Merlock more afraid.
The Lord of the Days seemed to realize he was only making things worse, and grinned nervously. "Heh...forgive me.....but at the very thought of them I go off on a rampage...." He took a deep breath. "Nonetheless...I offer you a way out of this miserable life, to a whole new way of living in fact."
Merlock took a few more steps back. "You're...you're not going to bite me, are you?!" He didn't seem to be registering what Trallien was trying to tell him. He arched a brow at him. "Well yes...there's nothing I can about that....but I assure you it's absolutely painless." He paused a moment. "And you have still to make the decision. I won't do anything unless you agree to it."
The adolescent struggled to move his feet, but they wouldn't budge. Something held him there....."I....I need time..." he said finally after a long while. Trallien nodded, completely understanding. "Of course. I give you three days. If you accept, come looking for me here. Otherwise, I will leave and trouble you no more. Goodbye my friend." With a slight wave and a stretch of his wings, the vampire took off into the sky, without another word. Merlock stood there in utter amazement, as he watched him go...


~
"Ooooo! So what happened next Trallien?" asked Bindi, who was clutching the table as if watching a suspenseful movie. Kila and Merlock sweatdropped at Bindi's intrusion. Taal chuckled slightly as Trallien arched a brow at her. "I was just getting to that part, Bindi dear."
"Oh. Sorry." She grinned nervously and quickly sat back down, looking sheepish.
~

Three days had almost passed, it was already late at night. Merlock stood in his small bedroom, pacing back and forth past his window. He was troubled, confused, afraid. Over the past few days he had done some intense thinking and was at a point where he could not get himself to make the decision. Deep inside he knew he wanted out of this miserable life, in his heart he knew anything would beat this sad existence. All of his life he had been poor, an outcast, and ever since the humiliation of being outdone by another magician, his reputation had plummeted. And as if the Fates were rubbing salt into his wounds, both his parents were gone now. His father...his father had died but when he was a young child. He could remember the day, when he was the tender age of 8, that he was told he was gone. But it was never said what had happened to him, leaving a great void in his heart. And mother....he shut his eyes tightly, trying to fight back tears. He didn't want the sadness anymore.....he should go...go...GO NOW!!! Merlock grabbed only his light autumn coat and ran out of his house and to the forest. He had to be quick.....was it too late? Would he be there?!

It was dark, very hard to see, as Merlock entered the hidden clearing of the forest. Panting he bent over to his knees, trying to catch his breath from the long run. The night air chilled him, it was getting cold indeed. His eyes searched around, but he did not see Trallien. Sitting down slowly on the chair he had left there with his easel, he sighed thinking he must have missed him. And his one chance to end his sadness....

"Well Merlock...so you decided to show up after all." Came the voice, startling the poor artist as he nearly fell off the chair. A moment later there was the sound of twigs snapping as Trallien came into a shadowy view.
"I....I thought I was too late." He replied as he got to his feet, still eyeing the vampire with a tinge of fear.
"Oh no. Not at all. I intended to wait longer...I had a feeling you were going to come anyway." His words were soft, gentle, promising.... "Come to me now, child. Let's not waste any time."
Merlock could not move, his feet were glued to the floor again. He tried to move, but just couldn't.


It didn't matter. Trallien was approaching him anyway. He took the lad in his arms. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I have to get close to do this ya know." A small chuckle escaped him as he said this. Merlock had a slight blush on his face but nodded in understanding. Still, he was terrified.
For a moment, Trallien stood there, looking in his eyes. Then rather quickly he reached over, going for the neck.

Merlock froze, shutting his eyes tightly, expecting intense pain to come. He felt a rather strange sensation, as Trallien sunk those fangs into him, but not pain.....but there was no mistaking the feel of the blood being drained from his body. After several minutes he began to feel sleepy.......so sleepy......
He was not aware, barely conscious in fact, when Trallien let him go, easing his body against a tree for support. He took a few steps back and began chanting some unknown words. Suddenly Merlock felt a power surge through him, so intense!! It made his whole body shiver uncontrollably as the energy rippled through him.

"For you Merlock....not only to become one of us...but a sorcerer! Forget magic tricks...I give you the real thing!" He chanted another spell and a red talisman, like a brooch, appeared. The newly created vampire just stared at it, not knowing exactly what he meant. Trallien smiled as he fastened it to his white Victorian-style shirt. "This is a Sorcerer Stone. As long as you wear it you'll know real magic. Just a little bonus." He winked. "Sorry about the skin situation though...."

Merlock blinked. Huh? He gazed down at his arm. It was....blue?!!! "Whaa?" He looked back up at the master vampire in utter confusion. Trallien sweatdropped nervously. "I don't know why but it seems the combination of powers created that effect....but well...it suits you rather well actually!" He laughed wholeheartedly.

~~

There was silence for a few long moments. Kila then giggled and smiled at her best friend. "So that's how you got that blue skin, huh?"
Trallien smiled meekly. "I may never know why that happened..." Taal snickered and hopped off Trallien's shoulder to Merlock. "So you understand now, yes?"
"I....I do...but I can't believe my life was so miserable..." His eyes were glassy from tears that threatened to fall.
"Yes but...it is the past...the long gone past. I beg you not to dwell on it. Besides aren't you happy now?" The Lord vampire got to his feet and sat on the edge of the table.
Merlock's frown turned to a smile. "Yes...and all because of one......" He looked to Bindi, who met his gaze with a big bright smile. She could have literally floated out of the room on a bed of hearts at that moment.
"Aww..." Taal grinned. "I had a feeling the two of you were an item, when I was asking Bindi about how she got paired up with you." His eyes grew all big and sparkly. "Isn't it soooooooo romantic?"
Trallien gave Taal that 'look' again. "Taal..."
The vampire dragon quickly shut his mouth, trying to look as humble as possible, while everyone had sweatdrops on their heads.
Merlock then looked at the one who made him with a whole new light. "I thank you for telling me......it feels as if some large void in my mind was finally filled. You could even call it closure..."
Trallien nodded. "So is what I hoped to do, my young friend. Now...I believe it is time to retire for the night." He gazed at Kila. "Allow me to escort you to your room?"
She gazed right back at him, transfixed on his handsome visage. "Sure..."
Just as Merlock stood up Kessa returned, and led Merlock and Bindi to their room.

Upstairs Kila followed the six foot tall Trallien down a long, spacious hallway to a very large door, decorated with numerous old style etchings. "What a place you have....Trallien...." She commented as he led her into the room. Her eyes grew wide as she saw the large bed with silk blankets, covered in a classic overhead canvas with thin white curtains surrounding it. The room had antique chairs and a fireplace, along with stain-glass windows. A fan turned lazily overhead. "Wow..." Was all she could say at the sight of it. Merlock's mansion paled in comparison to this place. In the center of the room Trallien turned and faced her, that very gentle expression still on his face. "Good night my dear. I hope you sleep well. Tomorrow I have plans for all of you...I hope to make your stay interesting here."
Kila smiled a bit too warmly at him. She didn't intend it but his rather well built bod was too much for her to ignore. And she was adoring his kind personality. "You've been quite a gracious host. Don't worry I know I'll be getting a good sleep in that bed!"
Trallien grinned slyly, her desires were obvious to him, being as old a vampire as he was, his senses were very much experienced. "How is it you came to know Merlock my dear? " He said as he approached her on bare feet, the carpeting muffling any sound so that he sounded almost weightless.
"Ha! That's a long story that will have to wait until morning!" She laughed a bit and sat at the end of the bed. Trallien followed her every move. He could sense it...very strong in her it was....so strong he knew she was addicted.
"Kila..." he held out his arm. "You think I feel a bit cold?"
She got up, her eyes locked on his, as if in a trance. But there was no need of any charm spell on this lady. Taking his arm she put it to her cheek. "Oh yes..definetely a little cold."
He grinned, flashing those fangs, who knew they would find their mark tonight. "I should try to warm up then, wouldn't you agree?"
Kila didn't even answer....just sat back down on the bed. Her invitation was made clear.
Trallien sat next to her, running a hand through her blonde locks. "Hmm...one who yearns for the vampire's kiss....is one who has my protection. The offer stands for you too, my dear Kila, if ever you wanted to join me...." He breathed into her neck as he got closer.
She shut her eyes calmly, giving only a slight nod to confirm she understood.
Trallien actually kissed her lips first, before going for the neck. His bite was gentle, and sent shivers of pleasure down Kila's spine. Within a few minutes she felt wonderfully sleepy...comfortable...and allowed herself to drift off into peaceful blackness.

The next morning she was awakened by the sounds of Trallien's yells of anger. What the?? She quickly sat up, looking at the door, which was ajar. Getting to her feet she tiptoed down the hallway, where she saw Merlock peering down the stairwell.
"What's going on?" She asked her best friend in disbelief. Bindi came around and hovered close to them.
"I don't know...but I think there's trouble...."


~~~~~~~~~End of Part 2 ~~~~~~~~

AHHHH! No! I'm going to end it here? YUP! :P!! I just love leaving my readers hanging^_____^ Hopefully I'll continue to get good reviews and considering how FAST I got this second part out..o.o....part three should follow up quickly!
I hope you all enjoyed it! ;)

~Ami~