Author's Note

I will use ~'s to denote the separation from the flashbacks to the present for this chapter. If anyone can think of a better way to do so, please tell me.

Sēti

In front of me, on the horizon, lies a town resting on a giant rock formation. To the sides of it there is nothing but dust clouds and a steep drop into the unknown. The town itself looks as if it is barely being held together by nails and wood, flowing around the mountainous rock rising into the sky. The sheer size amazes me, but the sickly feeling in the air frightens me. I feel a small tug on my cloak, and turn to see Sēti pulling on it. Knowing that he is quite young, around the young teen years, I can't help but feel a kind of fatherly urge to protect him. The caravan he was leading is already in town apparently, faster than expected. I give him a warm smile and kneel down a bit, confusing him. I tap my back gently, nodding towards my back. Sēti's eyes widen and a light blush of embarrassment takes over his face before he nods quickly and hops onto it. I stand up and feel my new, quite furry, tail swing in the air to gain balance. Twisting my nose a bit, I feel my whiskers glance my own cheeks.

Shuffling a bit to get more comfortable, I start heading towards the city. "For now, we are just travelers. Keep your rapier hidden in between us, ill keep mine on my side. We need to find you some clothes, so you're my kid for now, got it?"

Sēti shifts as well, laying his head onto the top of my back as my hands hold him up. "You don't have to do this. I can walk just fine."

Turning back with a stern look, I scoff at his lie. "Don't lie, I saw you limping while we were walking here. Besides, you look young enough to be my son now, so I'd rather look unassuming and weak than strange and experienced. If this town is as bad as they say, with both of us looking poor, we should be bad targets and unnoticeable."

I feel his tail wrap around my waist and a sigh of relief on my neck. "If you say so... I am feeling a bit weak."

Nodding in understanding, I look again at the town on the horizon. Realizing that it would still take a few hours, I think back on last night, and what I learned about Sēti.

~
Moments pass by as the extinguished fire releases smoke into the air, still warming us gently. In the somewhat small tent, I find myself laying next to Sēti, who has taken to sleeping next to me ever since that day. He is facing towards the tent, and I as well.

The past few days haven't been as eventful as the first two days I have been traveling in this desert. I don't know why we haven't caught up with the caravan, but I would guess that the slow start after our duel would have had something to do with it. I wonder what he's thinking about... I know he isn't asleep due to the fact that he is shuffling every other minute. Perhaps he has something to s—

"Devan." sounds a quiet voice from behind me.

Turning towards him slightly, I notice him facing me completely, staring at me. "Yes Sēti?"

A moment passes by before a response is heard. "You don't kill others... Why?"

That's a weird question... Why would you?.. Ah, customs are different everywhere. Let's see..

Thinking for a few more moments, I come up with a decent answer. "I don't think that I would refrain from killings others if I had no other option, though there are plenty of other options. I try not to in respect for life itself. All of us have different situations that we deal with, and how we handle them is also especially different. Some turn to killing in order to solve a problem, not considering how it would weigh on them or change them. I like to think there's always a way to get out of a situation without killing another being, though like I just said, sometimes there's no choice."

Silence follows my words for minutes. The shuffling continues behind me until I feel a claw touch my back hesitantly, before finally a paw is placed instead. I turn around to face Sēti, and I don't see a battle-ready warrior, nor a scarred cat-lord. I see a young kid crying into one of his paws. I can't do anything but feel helpless, not finding the words to say as I bring his head into my chest for the second time in the past week. Finally, I find a question that might answer a lot.

"Why do you not mind killing? You're so young.. I can't imagine that's normal, even in these lands." I ask slowly, hesitating when Sēti suddenly flinches and freezes up.

His tail waves in the air slowly, as if he's deciding on something. Suddenly, his tail wraps around my waist and I feel a sigh on my back. "Look, I have never told anyone about this. So please, keep it a secret. If you betray me, I will kill you, because I see no other way to solve such a problem for my... Reputation."

I nod slowly, ready to take in whatever he may say and turn around to face him. His pupils are dilated, the moonlight is shining directly through the the tent's entrance onto his face. A look of desperation on his face is apparent, as if he is taking the biggest risk in his life.

Looking down towards me, Sēti gathers the words he needs in order to convey his life. "I was born into a wealthy family, one of pure lineage. My father and mother were a Duke and Duchess respectably, and treated everyone around them with kindness. I knew no strife, nor any worry." A wave of Sēti's paw later and sand rises into the air, forming a small family of cats. The smiling father and mother are picking up the smaller cat, whom I assume is Sēti himself. "One day, when the sandstorms outside were particularly rough, even for the capital city, a group of travelers showed up at our doorway" begins Sēti, causing a wave of sand to wash away the last scene and pull up another of a door with around seven other beings near it. "My father, the great cat-lord he was, saw their plight and invited them in. Showing his generosity, he gave them all a bed for the night and had the maids and butlers prepare a big feast!" he continues, creating a scene with many smiling beings around a full dining table. "However, this was a terrible mistake..."
~

Finding ourselves at the town entrance, two very tough looking naked mole rat humanoids are guarding the town. Matching symbols are tattooed into their right arms, obviously belonging to some sort of gang. I walk by them, feeling their stares eat into the back of my head.

I don't care what they think. I'm a no body to them. I'm only here for two reasons, the reward from the Princesses and...

Turning my head slightly, I see Sēti's tail waving behind us along with his coattails. I feel his ear flick against my neck, analyzing every sound he's hearing to make sure we aren't going to be attacked or accosted in any way. I look forward again, frantically searching for any sort of clothing vendor. Different animal humanoids are traversing the alleys and streets of this town. Mammals, reptiles and even fish populate the scene laid before my eyes.

Meat, jewelry, magical items, weapons, animals... Ah!

At a lone stall in front of a worn down home lies a stall run by an older pig-like humanoid. Basic hand-knitted clothes are draped on the stall itself, shown off to the world. Speeding up only slightly, we find ourselves in front of it. The elderly pig looks up at me and smiles slowly, waving over the wares that it owns. As I look around the clothes that might fit him, I once again find myself thinking back.

~
A new scene was played by the floating sand particles in the moonlight, one of a tragic scene, then Sēti spoke again. "In the middle of the night, my parents and I were dragged to our main room by force. It seemed the travelers were actually a group of bandits that knew about my fathers hospitality, and took advantage of it. Items were gathered along with us including artifacts of my family's past, any piece of gold in the home and even the rugs and carpets. We watched our belongings being carted off into the night, yet my father kept smiling as he held us close to him. The leader couldn't stand that, and pushed my father with harsh words only to be met with kindness and understanding. Not knowing what to do about my fathers smile, he took me out of his arms. My father begged them to spare me, that perhaps I could be of use somehow. They agreed with him, thinking perhaps I could be some sort of servant, because even though I was male, I had a pretty face. Seeing the relief on my fathers face, I saw the leaders face turn from anger into a maddening grin as he gave the order. My parents were slain in front of me, butchered to the point of being unrecognizable. The last thing I saw my father do was reach for me, and smile. That scene haunts my mind to this day, causing sleepless nights.". The particles of sand mimic exactly what Sēti described, being the most detailed scene I witnessed that night.

Stunned by what he has told me so far, I could only ask one question. "How old were you that night?"

Looking at me with tearful eyes, I see the loss of innocence deep in them. "I was eight years old that night.. Though, that was not the end of it.". Waving his paw once more, a scene of some sort of pit was formed, with a small cat and larger boar-like creature. "They forced me to fight for their amusement, pitting me against animals at first. I was trained in the hunting and killing of such things, but it still drove my body to it's limit each day. All I did was kill their next meal, while I received the scraps. This went on for a while... Until I met him.". Putting another scene together, I couldn't help but notice how Sēti is shaking this time. I rub his shoulder, giving him the strength to go on. A very detailed little pig-child is in my view now, along with a Sēti holding a dagger. "The command was simple, kill your enemy. I didn't want to, I begged them to stop. The other boy rushed at me, his dagger drawn and ready to strike. I had no choice.". The scene animates, following each word until Sēti's dagger enters into the other young male.
~

In a beaten down and pathetic room I purchased until tomorrow, Sēti is getting dressed in the clothes I bought with a few bits. Shorts and some sort of basic shirt covered his body now, along with a small hat to hide the burns on his body except for his tail. He is sitting on the edge of the makeshift bed, staring at the rapier in his paws. I sit next to him and hand the last bit of my meat jerky to him, which he graciously accepts and eats at a slow pace. After which, he lays down with his rapier beside him and runs one of his paws 'fingers' along the edge of one of the emeralds. I just stare at the gem, remembering how he met the one who taught him about them.

~
Multiple fights are shown to me, each one highly detailed, almost as if he captured the death of each enemy he had in that pit. The sand finally stops on a figure resembling an elder Cat-lord, one holding gems in her hand. "I didn't know anything about magic, but around the time I turned eleven, an older one of my kind entered into the bandit stronghold. She had nothing but smiles to give, and it reminded me so much of my father. I couldn't help but gravitate towards her, and to some degree she was my friend. She taught me how to use basic magic, and even how to enchant items used gems! I gave myself an edge in each battle using basic enhancements to my body and mastered the speed I had. Killing became easier and easier, and faces became a blur. Life was looking up, and even the bandits were treating me well! They gave me meat and fruits for entertaining them so well. I thought that was normal, that killing was okay and solved my misery being in that situation.". The sands weaved and flowed into multiple scenes with Sēti mastering magics related to speed and embedding gems into his weapons. The battles became less and less detailed, proving how numb he had become to killing. In the end, one fight was frozen in the sands floating above us. A pit with Sēti inside, as well as the older cat-lord that mentored him. I feel Sēti shaking again besides me, and see the older cat nod her head in understanding before the sand Sēti stabs her with an enchanted weapon she taught him to create. The sand depicts Sēti's face, and flashes an angry expression before falling to the ground. "I killed them all. Every last one of them in that stronghold. They made me kill the only one nice enough to show me kindness in such a place. Never again did I want them to make beings fight each other. So I killed them like it was nothing with the magical sword I had and the basic wind magic I was taught. Not too long afterwards, I was found among all of the dead bodies. I don't remember how that happened or why, but I was taken to a nearby large home and was told that because I was the son of the last captain, I was fated to be the next one. At the age of twelve, I was made into a battle-ready leader and two years of following orders while killing others I find myself here. I saw you save him, I couldn't believe it.. To have so much power so that you didn't have to kill and offer another way. I couldn't stand myself anymore! I couldn't stand to look back on each death I've caused needlessly, sometimes even enjoyed!". Sēti starts to cry harshly, grabbing his head with his claws digging into him. Seeing the self-destructive behavior of a confused and troubled youth, I couldn't help but peel his claws back and hold him yet again.

I begin to pet him slowly, and let his tears soak my clothes. "You had to do it, but you don't have to anymore. You are still so young... Mistakes are made in these unforgiving lands, and you have seen some of the worst of it. I can't relate at all, my life was not so grim when I was growing up. I can be here for you now though, and make sure you don't have to go through that again. If it's within my power, no one should have to kill in order to live."

A moment later, an arm is wrapped around me and it pulls me tightly. A few more sobs are heard from Sēti before one last line. "Thank you"
~

I find myself gazing at Sēti's somber expression, and think of an idea. "Give me a second, I have to do something. Stay here, it will take but a moment."

Sēti just nods slowly in understanding, still looking at his sword with far less amazement than when we dueled. I move away into a nearby room and reach into the backpack I had on my shoulder off to the side.

Xirandine skitters onto the wall from out of my backpack, still a small lizard. "His life is tragic, but there is no way you can change another completely. He will always be traumatized for the rest of his life, and no matter how much power you have, you cannot save everyone from falling into despair."

I ignore him and pull out the crystal viewing orb that Rarity gave me, feeding magic into it while thinking of a specific pony. A few moments later, my favorite pink fluffball appears in the orb giving me a cheerful smile before looking confused. "Who are you?"

I realize that I am still in the form of a Cat-lord and dismiss it quickly, revealing my true human form. Another second later, she makes a surprised noise and gets closer to the orb in an almost cartoonish way, making my view of her eyeball enormous.

"Devan? Oh hi! It must have been some weird magical issue or something. What'cha need? I am preparing for the Gala next week! I have a lot of songs and moves to show those ponies how I party!" chimes an excited Pinkie that is seething with party energy.

"Ah yes! The Gala! I hope you have tons of fun! (Which I know she won't, but that's how the show goes.. Sorry Pinkie)I need you to put a cupcake in front of the orb, if you don't mind." I ask quickly, giving a genuine smile after seeing her beautiful face.

Pinkie gives me a quizzical look before thinking for a second and replying. "A cupcake? What for? What kind? How big?"

"Any size will do, pick your favorite flavor, that actually has sugar involved in it, and it's to cheer up a new friend I've made." I respond, counting each answer on my hand.

Not a split second later, a cupcake is shoved in view of the orb, specifically a strawberry one with an actual strawberry on top of it. With a bit of focus, and more magical essence than I normally would want to use for something like this, I teleport the cupcake into my right hand. The teleportation being from such a long distance away puts a somewhat heavier toll on my body, and I feel a bead of sweat go down my face.

Waiting until Pinkie's surprised but impressed face enters back into view, I give her a salute. "Thank you Pinkie! I miss you! I have to go, it's a friend emergency okay?"

"No problem Cadet! Now make sure that friend of yours smiles!" commands Pinkie in a playful militaristic tone before kissing her mirror quickly and vanishing.

I put the orb away and take the cupcake out to the main room. Sēti is still laying on the bed with his sword, and doesn't even look up when I walk back in. "Sēti, I'd like you to have this."

Finally getting his attention, he looks up and his eyes widen at the sight of the cupcake. Dashing over to it, he can't help but drool while staring at it. "Are you sure? Sugar is quite rare in these lands, I wouldn't want you to waste it on me!"

I ignore his blatant self-deprecating assumption and nod with a smile. Not a moment later, Sēti has it in his paws, almost savoring every second it's in sight before biting into the top of it. I notice a few tears starting to run down his face as he starts to devour the cupcake, getting frosting all over his fur where his mouth is. I wipe away the frosting quickly with a piece of cloth from his tattered uniform as he continues eating. I let him be so it can be enjoyed properly and meet back up with Xirandine in the small room I was just in. Looking back into the room with him, I point subtly at the face that Sēti is making and can't help but smile myself. "I may not be able to change him completely, but I can at least make him happy for as long as I can. He deserves to be happy and satisfied with life."

A small scoff is heard from the small lizard. "I suppose the small things do matter huh? Just don't be surprised when you can't protect him from everything."

I shrug and continue to look at the gleeful face that Sēti is wearing as he abandons a weapon of war for a sweet treat. The smile of a child, although feral, still warms my heart.