The One Who Is Powerful

[Benjamin Naifeh Atiyeh]

 

I am certainly not powerful by any means.  Have I been blessed yes, I would say that I have been.  Sekhmet has blessed me beyond my dreams.

 

My uncle raised me to be a street performer in Cairo, Egypt.   He was a superstitious man and would pray or make offerings to the old gods.  My favorite of the gods was Sekhmet.  Her name means the one who is powerful. 

 

My uncle would show me how to do some magic tricks and I learned them quickly. 

 

What intrigued me was fire, one of the symbols of Sekhmet.  I would watch the fire spinner and his tricks closely.  He was very good at art. 

 

I started practicing with him while uncle wasn’t looking.  One day while I was practicing my uncle caught me.  He thought I was holding fire in my bare hand.  He decided to add me to his act.

 

We became a very well known act.  My uncle was proud and he made a lot of money.

That was when Amun found me and changed me.

 

After the change I barely remembered who I was.  The thirst was so overwhelming.

Amun relayed to me why he chose me and what he saw me do.  He believed that I was blessed (or maybe cursed) by Sekhmet.  He asked me if I could still do the fire spinning.

I looked at him confused but did my best to comply.

 

At first it took me awhile to get my bearings.  I had him make a fire and get me staffs to twirl.  While I was practicing the flames actually left the staffs and beckoned me to hold them in my hands.  All I could feel was the warmth, no burning.  I found I could hold the flames for extended periods, which I could not do with out some type of fuel as a human.  I learned I could light candles across the room or set the hem of Amun’s robes on fire. 

 

This both awed Amun and scared Kebi.  I did not understand the reality of my ability until Amun set me down and explained how to destroy another vampire.  I am not sure I could destroy a vampire.  However, within Amun’s explanation I learned a great deal of why he was in awe of my affinity with fire.  I felt in my still heart how much he wanted to control me. 

 

That night I asked Sekhmet to guide and protect me.  With her guidance I will be her vampire on this earth and protect those who need to be protected.  She has since given me my beautiful wife and companion Tia, wonderful friends and the ability to manipulate not just fire but water, earth and air.

 

I am truly blessed by The One Who Is Powerful, Sekhmet.