Centuries before the destruction of the Circle of Nine and the rise of Kain, the vampire tribes began to slaughter the humans of Nosgoth.  The dark vampire lord, the malevolent titan János Audron, was sending his armies of vampire warriors across Nosgoth, raping the lands and massacring humans with wild abandon.

       The Circle of Nine, the guardians of the Pillars of Nosgoth and the protectors of the land knew they had to deal with the undead menace.  The Circle gathered the strongest and most righteous warriors the human cities had to offer.  From the north came Dumah and Turel.  From the east came Rahab.  From the south came Melchiah and Zephon.  From the west came Raziel.  The six warriors were to be known as the Angels of Hope, the six commanders of the Seraphan Warrior Priests.

       The Guardians of the Pillars of Nosgoth brought the Angels of Hope before them.  The Nine had gathered together the Serioli to forge weapons for the Angels of Hope.  For Melchiah, they forged an indestructible sword, the Lumièredge.  For Turel, they formed a sleek weapon, the Soleilscythe.  For Dumah, they formed a mighty axe, the Âmeaxe.  For Rahab, they forged a bow of incredible precision, the Puretébow.  For Zephon, they forged a pair of impossibly sharp daggers, the Angeblades.  For Raziel, they formed a long staff with a deadly blade, the Vielance.

       As the Serioli departed and the Angels of Hope, the newly formed Seraphan, studied their weapons, the Guardian of the Pillar of Balance, Torionuh, held out his hand to the knights.  "Will you save Nosgoth?" he asked, "Will you protect us from the evil that is slowly choking this land?"

       Raziel, the unspoken leader of the knights, nodded, "We swear it!"  And so the Seraphan Warrior Priests were born, and the history of Nosgoth was forever changed.

- - - - The Sovereigns of Nosgoth - - - -

       Raziel and the Seraphan Saints, the six Angels of Hope, fought against the vampire scourge, János Audron's armies shocked by the growing numbers of Seraphan warriors.  The Angels of Hope took another member; a youthful warrior named Malek.  János Audron stood on the balcony of his palace, looking at the nine Pillars standing silent in the distance.  Audron's firstborn son, the young and ruthless vampire Vorador entered his master's chambers.  "You summoned me, my Lord?" Vorador said as he bowed.

       Audron turned slowly, "Yes," he held out a hand to his son, his three claws gleaming in the moonlight, "What do you think it will take to rid Nosgoth of the Seraphan?"
"The Saints," Vorador replied, "eliminate them and the Seraphan will fall."
Audron smiled, "Yes, but as long as the Circle stands, they will replenish the Seraphan.  If we are to conquer the human armies, we must destroy the Seraphan Saints and the Circle of Nine."
Vorador nodded, "Thy will be done," he said, "I shall see to it personally."
"No." Audron said, "I will see to it personally."  Vorador looked up with a confused look on his face.  "I will face the Seraphan Saints myself." 
Audron drew his sword, the black, curved blade of the Soul Reaver shimmering in the moonlight.  Vorador smiled, he had waited nearly a century to see his master in battle.

- - - - The Sovereigns of Nosgoth - - - -

       János Audron, Vorador and five scores of vampiric soldiers, each in lupine or bat form raced from the north and toward the nine towering Pillars.  Audron's spies had told him that the seven Saints and the nine Guardians were all at the Pillars, completely unprotected.  As they drew closer to the Pillars of Nosgoth, Audron and his soldiers morphed back to their humanoid forms and drew their weapons.

       At the Pillars, Moebius, the Guardian of the Pillar of Time, raised his head, breaking his meditation.  "They are coming." he said.  The Seraphan quickly drew their weapons, looking to the north to see something moving through the forest.  The vampires burst forward from the trees, their weapons meeting with the arms of the Seraphan Priests.  A massive battle quickly ensued, warriors falling on each side.

       Rahab drew three arrows and fired the silver-tipped projectiles at the oncoming vampires.  The arrows passed through three vampires and lodged in three behind them.  Rahab caught a leaping vampire with his bow and hurled him into another oncoming beast.

       Dumah and Turel stood back to back as a circle of vampires closed in on them.  Dumah swung his axe, severing the heads of five vampires in one swipe.  Turel followed suit, swinging his scythe around, slicing his oncoming attackers in half with great ease.

       Zephon raced through the crowd of monsters, cleaving the undead warriors left and right, sending their cold blood flying in all directions.  Melchiah went blade to blade with three of the vampire commanders at once, his expert sword skills allowing him to quickly overpower the trio of vampires.  In three swift movements, Melchiah beheaded the trio, their decapitated bodies falling to the ground.

       Malek raced toward János Audron, his spear aimed at the dark lord's heart.  An instant before the young Seraphan reached the vampire lord, a dark figure jumped in front of a white-armored soldier, his curved sword blade gleaming in the moonlight.  "Stand down creature, let your master fight!"

       Vorador smiled, "I hope you enjoyed your last words." he said, bringing his sword around to meet Malek's staff.

       János Audron watched as his soldiers faced the Seraphan.  Even though they were his enemies, Audron was entranced by the way the Seraphan fought.  Holy righteousness was on their side, something the vampires never had.  Slowly, János Audron moved through the battlefield and toward the Pillars of Nosgoth.  Dovion, the Guardian of the Pillar of Conflict, stood in Audron's path.  "You shall not pass, demon!"

       János Audron smiled, "I love the sense of self-righteousness that each of you Circle Members has."  The vampire laughed, "It is such a shame that I have to destroy it!"  Audron quickly brought up the blade of the Soul Reaver, slashing Dovion's body from crotch to throat.  Blood poured out of the slain Guardian of Conflict as he slumped to the ground.

       "Who's next?" Audron asked with a laugh.

       "How about me?"  János Audron turned to see a dark-haired figure in white armor, clutching a lance in his hands.

       "What have we here?" Audron said.

       "I am Raziel, Commander of the Seraphan Saints."

       A smile slowly spread across Audron's face, "Oh, what an interesting turn of events, the Lord of the Vampires against the Greatest Seraphan Saint.  I have dreamt about this."

       Raziel glared at the demon; "Soon it will be your nightmare."  Audron's Soul Reaver clashed against Raziel's Vielance, sending green and white sparks into the air.  Audron was surprised that the blade did not destroy the Seraphan's weapon in one blow.  Audron attacked relentlessly, hoping the Seraphan would leave an opening for him to strike.

       But Raziel was far too skilled to leave any chance for the vampire to attack.  His lance whirled around; blocking every sword stroke Audron had dealt.  As Raziel began to tire, he called upon his holy magic, regaining his strength.  Overwhelmed by Raziel's newfound strength, Audron lowered the Soul Reaver just enough for the Seraphan to strike, Raziel's lance driving sharply into Audron's chest.

       As the vampire fell to his knees, Raziel reached into Audron's chest and cut the vampire's cold, black heart from the demon's body.  Raziel held the ebon heart high above his head, "Behold. the heart of darkness!"

       The vampires stared in horror as the black heart of their god rested in the Seraphan's hand.  "Retreat!" Vorador said.  The vampires morphed into bats and wolves and took off in all directions, several of the Seraphan Priests chasing after them.  Vorador looked darkly at Malek and the other Angels of Hope, "There will be a reckoning!" the vampire said as he flew away.

       János Audron slowly rose to his knees.  "This is not where or how it ends."  The Seraphan looked at him; surprised that he was still alive.  "I curse the Seraphan Saints. Volaria zso koa monaktah.  Each of the Seven will fall at the hands of vampires!"  In one swift movement, Raziel severed the vampire's head, silencing him forever.

       The Seraphan turned to see the eight remaining members of the Circle of Nine standing around their slain brother.  They looked up as a bright energy field surrounded the Pillar of Conflict.  Torionuh, the Guardian of Balance sighed, "Dovion is dead.  The Pillar is now calling his successor."  The gathered watched as the streams of magic flew high into the sky and dove quickly back to the ground, surrounding Malek.

       The other six Seraphan Saints stood in awe as their brother approached the Pillar of Conflict.  "Do you accept your rightful position as the Guardian of Conflict?" Mortanius, the Guardian of the Pillar of Death asked.

       "Yes." Malek answered, "And I swear that I will do everything I can to protect the Circle of Nine."  The light penetrated Malek's body, bestowing upon him the gifts of Conflict and the immortality of the Circle.

       Raziel picked up the Soul Reaver, overcome by its sheer power.  He felt as though the sword belonged in his hands.  He handed the sword to Malek; "Perhaps you should dispose of this."

       The Planer, Azimuth, Guardian of the Pillar of Dimension, took the Soul Reaver from Malek's hands, "I shall put it in a safe place." she said.  And that was how it came to be, the death of János Audron, the victory of the Seraphan and the ascension of a new Circle Member.  The years to come, however would not bring such peace.

- - - - The Sovereigns of Nosgoth - - - -

       Over the following years, the Seraphan Warrior Priests hunted down the last remnants of János Audron's forces.  Though the number of vampires decreased greatly, the Seraphan Saints, save for the immortal Malek, all fell at the hands of vampires.  Their bodies were interred in the Tomb of the Seraphan, miles east of the Pillars of Nosgoth.

       After years of hiding, the few vampires that remained, lead by Vorador, were planning an assault.  Except for the Guardian of Conflict, Malek, the all the Seraphan had long since died.  What vampires that remained could easily be dispatched by the common vampire hunters scattered across Nosgoth.

       Vorador wanted nothing more than revenge.  He swore to himself that Malek and the rest of the Circle would fall.  The twisted vampire swiftly moved to a palace in the west where he knew that Torionuh, the Guardian of Balance, the father of the Seraphan, lived alone.  He silently moved into the stone bastion and approached the inner sanctum.

       In one swift movement, Vorador burst through the door to find not one, but four of the Circle Members.  Torionuh, the Guardian of Balance stood shocked as Vorador's blade ran through Suljion, the Guardian of the Mind.  The Guardian of Nature, Ulliah and Portia, the Guardian of Energy screamed as Torionuh shouted, "Malek!!"

       Using his magic, Vorador struck Ulliah to the ground.  "Malek!" Portia screamed before Vorador used his magic to strip the flesh from her bones.  The vampire turned toward the Guardian of Balance.  The magician attempted to hold back the vampire with his own magic, but his sorcery failed him.

       The Guardian of Balance raced across the room calling for the Seraphan, "Malek!"

       Vorador laughed, "Call your dogs, they can feast on your corpses!"  Vorador rapidly moved across the room, slashing Torionuh across the neck and draining him of his blood.  Just then, a flash of white light filled the room.  Vorador turned to see the white-armored Seraphan moving toward him.  The warriors' weapons clashed, sending sparks into the air.

       The vampire and the Seraphan fought each other with incredible fury.  Malek's lance slashed Vorador across the chest, the cut healing almost instantly.  Vorador vanished and moved across the room.  In Malek's confusion, Vorador moved behind him and struck him on the head with the hilt of his sword.  As Malek fell to his knees, Vorador fled from the palace, almost half of the Circle slaughtered by his hand.  Vorador reveled in his victory but Malek would soon be damned.

- - - - The Sovereigns of Nosgoth - - - -

       Malek stood before the four remaining members of the Circle of Nine.  Mortanius, the acting leader of the Circle had the Seraphan's arms and legs tied.  He stood naked, stripped of his armor and his dignity.  "For failing the Circle, Malek the Seraphan, you are hereby damned!" Mortanius said.

       Malek's soul was torn from his body, the shell immediately rotting to the bone.  His anima flowed into his armor, the cuirass instantly coming to life.  Malek stared in horror at his new body.  "The pleasures of the flesh are no longer yours." Mortanius said, "You will serve us."  Malek and the other four members of the Circle of Nine returned to the Pillars as four figures approached, the new Guardians culled by the Pillars.

       The first was Bane, a wise druid called to the Pillar of Nature.  The second was a beautiful young scientist and magician named Dejoule, called by the Pillar of Energy.  Next was a brilliant philosopher named Nupraptor, called by the Pillar of the Mind.  Lastly, there was Ariel, a beautiful young woman called by the Pillar of Balance.  Malek swore on what was left of his soul that he would protect the Circle at all costs.