A wanderer in a dark hooded cloak slowly climbed up Hartshead Pike to where the tower had been. From the top of the hill one could see for miles on a clear night. The tower on Hartshead Pike lay in ruins. Lightning had split the outer wall years before. Now all that remained was a circle of stones. Within the ruins etched into the ground was a pentacle bisected by a cross.

The clouds gathered overhead, their ominous black and gray shading cast a gloom across the land. A bolt of lightning split the sky. At the center of the circle the air began to shake. A glowing sphere of swirling reddish orange appeared, hovering about three feet above the ground and slowly expanded into an ellipse large enough to fit a horse. From deep within the portal screams could be heard. Suddenly a clawed hand appeared at each edge of the rift and a demon pulled himself into the world. The gateway slowly contracted until it was no more.

"Why have you called me here?" the demon demanded

"Do you forget so soon that you are mine to control?" replied the hooded figure. "Remember beast that it was I that freed you from your bonds. You do as I command."

The creature snarled, but conceded to its master.

"That's better." The wanderer sneered beneath the shadow of the cowl. "I have summoned you here, Ornias to retrieve and artifact of great power. It is locked up in a vault that I do not have access to and I charge you to recover it for me by any means necessary."

"Where is this artifact located and what is its nature?" asked the Ornias.

"Have you heard of The Breath of Life?" the master spoke

"That is just a fable," gawped the demon "It does not really exist."

"What if I told you it is not? I have seen it for myself. It lies in the treasure room of the Earl of Stamford in Dunham Massey" said the master with disdain "Lord Grey, thinks it is a mere jeweled golden cross and does not know of the true power that lies within"

"Within?" Ornias asked curiously

"Yes, within the golden shell lies the true treasure, a vile of liquid that can be used to extend the life of the one that drinks from it making that person immortal as long they have the elixir. I want that vile so that I may examine its contents and duplicate it so that I may live forever." the master let out a gritty laugh "Go now beast, and return here when you have completed your task."

With that the demon rose into the air and was gone.

The clouds dissipated as fast as they had appeared and soon the silvery glow of the moonlight illuminated the countryside once more. The hooded figure stared off into the distance watching the smoke rise from the houses below.

"My plan is set in motion" the vagrant said aloud "Soon I will have my prize, and I shall be the eternal witness." He said, laughing cruelly and descended the hill.