By SlpStck@aol.com
He was beaten, hung, whipped, and almost beheaded. He would have died, if the Elder of Clan Lasombra had not intervened. "He has decided on his own destruction. He detests the shadow, and thus, shall be destroyed by the light. Let him see Sol!" They tied him, and left him in the middle of nowhere, to wait for the Sun. He never saw it.
A wondering pilgrim heard the commotion as the Kindred tied the helpless Lorenzo to a single tree, to wait for the Sun. As soon as they had left, he helped the Vampire, not knowing what he was. Feeling indebted to the man, Lorenzo did not drain him. "What did you do," the man asked, "to deserve being tied to a tree by such . . . savages?"
"I disagreed with them," Lorenzo said softly.
"What about?" the man asked.
"I . . . cannot say."
"Because of the fact that you are a vampyr? A creature of the night? The Damned offspring of Caine?" the man asked, softly.
"What? How?" Lorenzo stammered, confused.
"My young friend," the man said, smiling. "I have many ways to tell such things. My eyes can see more then a normal man. My ears can hear more. I have lived for more years then I care to recall."
"But, what are you?" Lorenzo asked, bewildered.
"My people call me an Ishmaelite. I was given the Sacred Rite of Rebirth, and I cannot die." He said, slowly. "I am a wonderer, shunned by my people, the Shemsu-Heru. I believe your people call us Mummies."
"But, why did you help me?"
"Because, I saw you in danger, and thought you could use some help." With that, the man left. Lorenzo tried to follow him, but it was to near to dawn. He needed shelter. He found a small, uninhabited cave not far from the tree, and slept there till the next night.
For many centuries, Lorenzo wondered, trying to find a way to rid himself of the powers of his clan, the Sombra Magia, or, the Shadow Magic. He began to give up hope, when he was confronted by a man, very familiar, that he couldn't place. "It has been a long time, hasn't it?"
"Who are you? I know you, and yet, I don't!"
"Do you forget someone who saved your life so soon?"
"The Mummy!" Lorenzo whispered.
"Yes."
"How did you find me?"
"I have followed you since that night, all those years ago. I know where you've been, what you've done, who you've killed. More importantly, I know of your quest, to rid yourself of Obtenebration."
"Can you help me?" Lorenzo asked, excited.
"I can try. But," he said. "I cannot guarantee any success. We may both die should I try this. And you have no way of returning, as I do."
"I don't care! I would rather die, then live with this darkness inside me!"
"Then meet me here, in one year. I need this time to gather the ingredients," With a swift turn, the man left.
One year later, Lorenzo waited as the man told him to. Finally, an hour before dawn, he appeared. He carried an odd, yellowish colored liquid in a clear chalice. It seemed to sparkle as Lorenzo remembered the sun sparkling. "Drink this, just before dawn. The magic needs the light of the sun to work, and the reaction between the potion, my spell, and your vampiric body may be disastrous." He slowly handed the chalice to Lorenzo. One hour later, Lorenzo drank the potion as the sun rose over the near by mountains. His body felt like it was on fire, yet he knew it was not. Suddenly, he was afraid as the darkness overwhelmed him, and he lay still. The Mummy collapsed, exhausted from his powerful spell. He drug the Lasombra's body into a small, secluded house, shut up, so that he could sleep.
Awaking the next day, Lorenzo felt strange, as if a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders. The room seemed to be brighter, less shadow-filled. He smiled, then laughed for joy. It worked! It Worked! He looked around for the Mummy, who was no where to be found. Instead, he found a note. He walked over to it, and read it. "To my dear friend, Lorenzo. It seems that my spell and potion worked. As you rested, I watched over you, checking to make sure that you had not . . . expired. I decided to rest for a short while, and when I awoke, I saw your reflection in the mirror I had placed by you. I wish you the best, but cannot wait for you to awaken. In my weakened state, I must head for one of my tombs, to prepare for my next death. One other thing. I suggest you try and see if the potion caused any other side affects. We may have gotten rid of your Obtenebration, but you may have gotten something worse, or even better, in return. Farewell."
It had. As he read the letter, Lorenzo noticed that no lantern was lit, but he could see quite well. In fact, he was producing the light he saw. He quickly tried to do other things, discovering exactly he could, and could not do.
Ecstatic, he headed for the nearest Princedom, and asked that the Prince, known for his humane treatment of Caitiff, to admit him as one, and to allow him a childe. The Prince did, and thus was started the Claro Portador, the Light Bearers.