Azazel is a mutant from biblical times and the ruler of the Neyaphem (a race of demonic looking mutants). He claims that the Earth and everything on it belongs to him. He sees humanity as a cancer on his world. In his time, he enslaves and kills humans in order to impose his rule and dominion. Another group of mutants, the Cheyarafim or "angels" banish him to the Brimstone Dimension that Nightcrawler uses when he teleports. He is only able to leave for short periods of time so he fathers numerous children in order to have one with the power to free him permanently from his prison. Nightcrawler was one of his children as a result of his time spent with a young Mystique who was married to Mr. Wagner. Around this time, he also fathered the mutants Abyss and Kiwi Black among others. Azazel bides his time and waited for his children's power to mature and grant him freedom.