The catacombs had been abandoned for more than a century, but the maiden knew the ancient legend. A creature of great power was interred within the deepest room awaiting the gift of a living heart. The legend told how the donor had to be a pure maiden who must wait within the darkness for an entire lunar cycle. Then, and only then, would the donor be able to take her own heart, and in offering it to the Master achieve something approaching immortality.

It seemed as if the myth might be real.