Kain Given the choice - whether to rule a corrupt and failing empire or to challenge the Fates for another throw, a better throw, against one's destiny - what was a king to do? A stream of memories leading up to the present flows past: The vampire, Raziel, Kain's right-hand lieutenant, spreads his newly grown wings… Kain tears the wings from Raziel's back, and orders his other lieutenants to throw him into the Lake of Dead… Raziel burns until there is nothing left but a husk of tissue and bone, yet is revived… He hunts Kain down, but is unable to complete his revenge before Kain escapes through a portal leading to another time… In the past Raziel learns that things are much more complicated than they seem.  The quest for vengeance gives way to a quest for knowledge and freedom - one that he shares with Kain. Kain But does one ever truly have a choice?  One can only match, move by move, the machinations of Fate, and thus defy the tyrannous stars.

The camera pans down from the sky, and we see that it is snowing.  It is just before dawn -- the moon is still visible, hanging low over the horizon.  The battlements of the Sarafan fortress are silhouetted in the foreground.  A flock of bats swarms in, framed by the full moon.  They coalesce to form the dark shape of a heroically-proportioned man -- this is KAIN, not yet fully visible as he's backlit by the moon.  He drops down from the battlements, moving stealthily through a stone tunnel, still lit from behind.

Kain
And so I returned to the sanctuary of my enemy - the fortress of the Sarafan brotherhood, deemed impossible for any man to penetrate. 

Kain approaches a portcullis and pool of light.  A lone Sarafan guard is standing on the other side of the gate.  Kain dematerializes into a cloud of mist, phasing smoothly and silently through the gate, just behind the unsuspecting guard.  As he emerges into the pool of light, we see his features for the first time.  He effortlessly snaps the sentry's neck, and bites into his throat, holding the sagging body. 

Kain
...impossible for any man.

Kain drains the victim, and lets the body fall to the ground as he wipes his mouth and looks offscreen toward his next goal.  He continues to move along a narrow walkway.

Kain
Deep within these walls, my prey awaited: Moebius the Time Streamer, deceiver and eternal gamester, using living beings as his pawns.

As Kain nears a corner, we hear the voices of Sarafan warriors returning from patrol, approaching along an adjacent bridge.  Kain leans into the wall for cover, and turns his head to listen.

Sarafan Guard 1 In the end, we rooted out an entire nest of the fiends. Sarafan Guard 2 But we had swept that area already.  Sarafan Guard 1 Not well enough.  But no matter - we purged every last one of that brood with fire.  May their souls now rest. In the foreground, Kain sneers in disgust.

Sarafan Guard 2
Lord Moebius will be pleased.

In the distance, a heavy door opens and closes.   Kain moves from the shadows.

Kain
It was time for Moebius to answer a few questions.  I hoped, for his sake, to find him in a forthcoming mood.

Kain drops down from a window, into the Stronghold's dungeon beside a human prisoner. As he approaches, the prisoner sees him and begins to panic--

Captive
Help me!  Help me!

Kain approaches the terrified prisoner and gently passes his hand before the human's face –

Kain
Shhh...

Captive
Oh please, no...

Kain leans toward the prisoner, anticipating the meal --

Kain
From time to time it is necessary to feed.  And the unusual event of a feast prepared by the Sarafan must be savored.

Kain shatters a crumbling wall with the Reaver and steps through the new passage.

Sarafan What was that? Kain pulls the man off of the bridge above him using telekinesis, and flings him upon a metal spike jutting out of the wall.  He then walks out into the room, finding a canal running through its center.  Kain The touch of water was like acid to a vampire.  I had to find another way to pass.

Kain approaches a magical barrier. Kain This passage undoubtedly led to the Time Streamer.  My prey was nearly in my grasp.  But the door had been sealed by a blessed barrier.  As I approached, the Reaver resonated in response.  Perhaps its dark sorcery could dispel these holy barriers.  Kain takes a swipe at the barrier with his sword, only to be repelled. Kain As I suspected, the Reaver was not yet powerful enough to shatter these barriers.  But there was something to this…

As Kain enters the stronghold's chapel, a portcullis slams down.  He pushes against it with his foot.

Kain
Locked.  What a love of doors these pathetic humans have.

He nears an  artifact on a pedestal that is suspiciously unguarded.  Heeding the signs of a trap, he dematerializes into his mist form, jumps back, and draws the Reaver.  A Sarafan archer on a balcony above takes notice of him.

Sarafan
Huh? Vampire!

Kain defeats the Sarafan, and returns his attention to the artifact.

Kain
This emblem was unmistakably of Vampire origin, and designed to enhance the Reaver's power.  But this coincidence seemed too convenient; Moebius clearly meant for me to find it.

As he claims the emblem, he hears doors open and armored footsteps rapidly approaching.  A number of Sarafan clamor into the chapel to surround him, shouting threats and orders.

Sarafan 1
Sound the alarm!

Sarafan 2
Vampire!

Sarafan 3
Don't let him escape!

Kain walks calmly into their midst as they close in to surround him.  He regards them coolly, without even drawing his weapon yet. Sarafan 4 Surround him! Sarafan 1 Surrender, fiend, and we will promise you an easy death. Kain I could promise you the same, but it would be a lie.

After defeating the Sarafan, Kain approaches another magical barrier.

Kain 
This barrier had a curious resonating effect on the Reaver.

Approaching a door that is of a different design than the others in the Stronghold: Kain  This door had been equipped with a singular lock, requiring an unusual key.  Somehow I would find it.

Kain confronts Moebius in his hidden chamber.  As he nears the chamber's entrance, we begin to hear Moebius' voice, indistinctly.  Kain silently draws the Reaver, and moves toward the chamber.

Moebius
Yes...  I understand...

Moebius stands before a shimmering, mysterious pool at the center of the room, holding an arcane staff in one hand.

Moebius
...it will be done... the stage is set... 

With a satisfied expression, he cuts his eyes in Kain's direction.

Moebius
You needn't linger in the shadows, Kain. 
with hostility
It has been a long time, hasn't it?

Kain
No banter, Moebius.  You know why I'm here.

Moebius
Yes...Raziel.  You sought to introduce your own pawn into this game, and now he's been swept from the board. 

Kain
By your hand, I suspect.  Where is he?

Moebius
Perhaps you should ask "when"? 
chuckles darkly
How humiliating it must be for you to come begging at my doorstep for answers.

Kain narrows his eyes and advances on Moebius angrily.

Kain
Enough wordplay -

Moebius Don't threaten me, Kain – Moebius calmly summons his scepter's power, and the globe flares with menacing light.  Kain collapses in shock, clutching at his chest, as the Reaver slips from his fingers and he sinks to the floor, incapacitated. Kain gasping in agony Moebius -- you see, I have the upper hand.

He regards Kain with amusement.

Moebius
How remarkable that the great Kain should succumb to the scepter's power like any common vampire.

Moebius crouches next to Kain to address him more directly.

Moebius
Still so arrogant after all these years - thinking you've devised some brilliant plan.  You know nothing.  You have read the signs but missed their meaning.  You believe you are that myth of Vampire prophecy - the Scion of Balance - and that Raziel holds the key to fulfilling your destiny. 

Kain glares furiously at Moebius, while fighting to overcome this paralysis

Moebius But your messianic delusions have blinded you to Raziel's true nature. You have no idea what you've unleashed.  Moebius straightens up and looks down at Kain.  Kain reaches uselessly for the Reaver. Moebius There was a time when you might have heeded wise counsel when it was offered.  Now, your vanity has made you witless. You will have to learn the truth for yourself.  He shoves the Reaver back toward Kain with his foot.

Moebius
You'll be needing this. 

Moebius moves unhurriedly toward the exit while he speaks, and opens the door.

Moebius
Your strength will return after I have departed.  But by then, you will have more urgent concerns than pursuing me.   Perhaps, when we next meet, you will have learned a little humility.

Moebius deactivates the scepter and exits, closing the door behind him. Kain grasps the Reaver and rises unsteadily to his feet.  As he stands, we see a number of Shades peel out of the shadows of the chamber and surround Kain.

Kain
These strange creatures seemed to manifest from the very shadows…

Kain defeats the shades. 

Kain
Moebius' attempt at stopping me was not one of his better efforts.  When I found him, it would be my turn to offer a few surprises.