He fought the ancient Spirits of Vengeance and corrupted some of their overseers, the Blood. The Blood that sided with Zarathos were now called the Fallen. Although he promised them increased power, he was really using their power to strengthen himself.

After gaining more power and worshippers, Zarathos then challenged Mephisto for ownership of his realm. Mephisto tricked Zarathos using Centurious, whose lack of a soul made him immune to many of Zarathos's attacks. With his followers abandoning him, Zarathos was easily defeated.

Sometimes Mephisto would force Zarathos to bond with mortals, somewhat like the Spirits of Vengeance. On one of these times, he bonded Zarathos to Johnny Blaze, making him the Ghost Rider. Zarathos was contained in the soul chamber. He was released for a short while by the Beyonder.

However, Zarathos later appeared; having hid inside Centurious and being freed by Lilith. Zarathos and Lilith they planned to take over Earth but were opposed by the Midnight Sons. The Fallen also returned to assist Zarathos. However, the destruction of the Fallen, his absorption of Ghost Rider and the powerful weapon Justiciar left him as a statue in the Cypress Hills cometary. Lilith appeared, saying that she would avenge him.