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.

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 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 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.

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.

In the foreground, Kain sneers in disgust.

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

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--

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

Kain leans toward the prisoner, anticipating the meal --

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

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

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.

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

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.

After defeating the Sarafan, Kain approaches another magical barrier.

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

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

Kain narrows his eyes and advances on Moebius angrily.

He regards Kain with amusement.

Moebius crouches next to Kain to address him more directly.

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

He shoves the Reaver back toward Kain with his foot.

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

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 defeats the shades.