Legacy Of Kain: Final Storm

The Soul Reaver

During the fight with the overlord in Ivalice, Kain taps into the dark energies released by their foe, focusing the chaotic power through his ancient understanding of Nosgoth's magic and time. While their allies hold the overlord at bay, Kain channels the energy into a spell that begins to tear at the fabric of time itself, weaving strands of the past with the present.

Kain glances at Raziel, his expression full of purpose. "This might be my last chance to set things right," he says, his voice weighted with memories of past betrayals and hopes. "You were meant to be more than what I made you, Raziel."

With that, Kain directs the raw power around them into Raziel, forcing a transformation as Raziel's soul is torn back through the ages, rewriting his fate to restore his Sarafan self. The light around Raziel intensifies as his body shifts, the monstrous visage receding, revealing his human form-a glimpse of the noble warrior he once was fully restored. Raziel stands in awe, feeling his own heartbeat, feeling whole again.

Raziel looks at Kain with an expression of gratitude and wonder. "You did this... for me?"

Kain, a rare softness in his gaze, simply nods. "Now you see yourself as you were, Raziel-as I always should have seen you. Perhaps there is still hope for Nosgoth's true balance."

---

This magical feat requires every ounce of Kain's strength and the unyielding support of his allies, ultimately setting the stage for the final battle with Delacroix-and Kain's eventual sacrifice.

---

With the dark energies now in his grasp, Kain, along with his allies, journeys through a time gate to Nosgoth's ancient past. They find themselves in the imposing, shadowed halls of Kain's vampire empire, just as it was in Raziel's time as his lieutenant. The halls are silent and haunted, filled with the echoes of Kain's decisions and Raziel's loyalty.

As they navigate the dark corridors, they come upon Raziel, still in his vampiric form, tall and fierce with the unmistakable loyalty and pride of Kain's most trusted lieutenant Raziel pauses, recognizing his master and noting the strange companions at his side, but there's something in Kain's expression-a sorrow, an understanding-that Raziel has never seen before.

Kain steps forward, voice measured. "Raziel, my loyal lieutenant. There are truths I withheld from you... and I would change that, if you will allow me."

Vampire Raziel's gaze flickers with confusion and suspicion. "Change...? You never cared for change, Kain. You've spoken of fate as a river that can not be redirected."

"Then perhaps it's time I learned to swim," Kain responds, an unexpected gentleness in his voice. He motions his allies to stand back, allowing the gravity of the moment to rest between him and Raziel.

Kain explains that Raziel's existence, his loyalty, and the tragedies that would unfold were part of a fate written in shadow-but it was not unchangeable. He tells Raziel of the time that awaits him-the betrayal, the suffering, and the descent into the abyss that was once Kain's own choice. Raziel listens, fury and sadness crossing his face as he begins to understand what awaits him.

Kain extends a hand. "But I have the power now to unwrite that chapter, Raziel. To give you back what I took."

He gathers the energy he seized in Ivalice and opens a portal-one to Nosgoth's distant past, to the time when Raziel was human, before his death at the hands of his Sarafan brethren. Kain's magic flares around Raziel, and the energy begins to take hold.

"There is another path," Kain says, eyes fixed on Raziel. "One in which your human self will live again, free of the shadow of my choices. I offer you the chance to become... yourself."

With a mixture of hope and uncertainty, vampire Raziel gives Kain a final, searching look. "Why now, Kain? After all this... why change it?"

Kain's voice is soft, almost regretful. "Because I've come to understand that it was not power I needed-it was the wisdom to know when to let go." With that, Kain releases Raziel, sending him back through time before his human self's death.

---

As the magic fades, the allies find themselves in the present-day ruins of Nosgoth, with Kain's allies beside him and a human Raziel, disoriented but alive, standing before him. The restored Raziel looks at Kain with a mixture of confusion and awe, recognizing the man who was once his greatest enemy... and now perhaps his saviour.

Kain steps forward, a flicker of something uncharacteristic-pride, perhaps-flickering in his eyes. "Raziel, you are the Guardian of Balance, free from the shadows of my empire. Take this gift and guide Nosgoth with the strength of the man you once were."

Raziel nods, understanding the weight of the responsibility Kain has bestowed upon him, and bows his head.