Born in an Egyptian prison to criminal parents, Shamir al-Sadat’s aunt and uncle raised him and his older siblings first in Egypt, then in Italy.

In his youth, a mysterious woman gifted him a cat’s eye bracelet. Later, al-Sadat used the bracelet to enhance his ability to communicate telepathically with animals, particularly cats.

Al-Sadat attended art school in Florence, Italy. A family tragedy forced him to leave school.

But then his communications with a beloved cat led him to the Knights of Vyntari.

The Knights helped him develop his animal communication power. He also learned martial arts and other supernatural skills.

Al-Sadat assumed the role of an art fraud investigator, working closely with Guardian of Faith Milica Babic, the adopted mother of Safia Edris.

It is in this capacity that al-Sadat was drawn into the Shadowdance.