Frank walked behind the shopkeeper, glancing at the detailed murals that lined the walls of the passageway from time to time. The hidden passageway was long and winding, many turns, forks, and hidden entrances, it was clearly built to confuse outsiders or stragglers that wandered inside who are none the wiser.

"You said that you're expecting my visit?" Frank asked to disperse the awkward atmosphere.

"Yes young Seven, The stars foretold your fate ever since you were chosen." The shopkeeper replied not bothering to turn around.

"Uhhh… The stars did what?" Frank asked, confused. already regretting his descision to follow the shopkeeper.

"Save your questions for later young Seven, it will all be answered when we arrive at our destination."

"Alright, but if this takes any longer, I'm going home." Frank said impatiently.

"Don't worry, were close." The shop keeper replied.

It wasn't long until they stopped at a dead end, the shopkeeper pushed a few bricks on the wall, it slightly shook and revealed an entrance.

"Come quick young Seven! Before the walls close!" The shopkeeper said.

Frank walked inside as the walls closed behind him. His eyes wandered about the room. Well… to call it a room was a gross understatement. The open space inside spans far and wide, and the ceiling stretches so far up that even clouds formed, obscuring what lays at the top. Houses sit, embedded inside the tall walls. At the center of it all lies a whole city, complete with tall ancient buildings and people of different ethnicities walking about, minding their own business.

"What is this place? It's like a hidden ancient city" Frank asked in amazement.

The shopkeeper keeper smiled proudly and said, "Welcome to Merlin's Keep." The shopkeeper walked away and gestured at Frank to follow him.

"Merlin? Like the wizard?" Frank asked as he jogged after the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper just smiled and continued walking.

Eventually they stopped infront of a small house. The house looked like a normal medieval house built from stone wood. The shopkeeper entered the house. "Welcome to my house, please, make yourself comfortable." The shopkeeper said and gestured at a chair.

Frank nodded and sat on the chair.

"Okay, now can you answer my questions?" Frank asked impatiently, clearly frustrated at being led around.

"Of course young Seven, go ahead." The shopkeeper replied calmly.

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"So, what's happening here, what's all of this? And why do keep calling me Seven?"

The shopkeeper stood up and took a book from a nearby bookshelf.

"The moment that book gave you your mark, your fate has been bound to the seventh star, hence the reason why I refer to you as Seven." The shopkeeper answered.

"What? Look, you're not exactly making much sense here." Frank said in annoyance.

The shopkeeper sighed and looked at Frank solemnly. "You, Frank North had been dragged into a war, one where you cannot escape." The old man passed the book he took earlier to Frank. "And I'm here to make sure that you take the right path." He glanced at Frank.

Frank frowned but continued listening.

"We've been fighting a war for hundreds, if not thousands of years. From our ancestors all the way down to us. Ever since Merlin first encountered those books." The shopkeeper walked to a cabinet and took out a bottle of whiskey. "Those books are called grimoires, they are beings who's sole purpose is to find a worthy champion for–" He coughed loudly.

"I'm sorry, I've been feeling under the weather lately." The shopkeeper said as he drank a glass of whiskey.

"Wait! What do you mean I got dragged into a war?" Frank asked, agitated.

"Besides you, there are twelve others that bears the mark." The shopkeeper sat down and look at Frank. "They've been locked at a stalemate for a long time, and you're the only one who can break that stalemate and put an end to the war." He said calmly.

Frank stood up. "What does all this have to do with me? I'm just a normal person!" Frank exclaimed.

"When that book chose you and gave it's power, it also gave you it's responsibility, so whether you like it or not, you're already a part of this war." The shopkeeper stood up and faced Frank. "The only thing left for you to do is to pick a side." He said solemnly.

"Power?" Frank looked at his right hand.

"That book in your hands will tell you how to unlock and control your powers. Study it well, and then decide which side you're on." The shopkeeper said.

Frank looked at the book in his hand. 'An Idiot's Guide to the Arcane Arts' lay on the leather cover in bold typography."Really?"

Frank glared at the shopkeeper in mock anger.

The shopkeeper smiled and continued.

"Treat that as a courtesy for visiting my shop." He continued. "Until you decide which side you're on." He drank another glass of whiskey. "Well, you're on your own." He said and smiled.

Frank frowned. "Wait, what do you mean?" He asked.

"Well… as the leader of one of the sides involved in the war, I can't interfere if, say, the other side decides to assassinate you." The shopkeeper smiled and lifted his hand, a big letter 'I' tattooed on the back of his hand, his palm pointed at Frank. "I suggest that you be quick on your decision young Seven." He smiled, his palm now emitting a bright light." He smiled. "Have a great day young Seven!" The light completely engulfed Frank.

Frank's eyes widened in shock. "WAIT! WHAT THE FU–" Frank bellowed but was cut short as light completely filled the room. When the light dissipated, all that's left in the room is the shopkeeper drinking whiskey. "Let the games begin." He said with a smile.

Frank looked at the book in his hand with disbelief. "What the hell just happened?" He whispered. One moment he was talking with the shopkeeper, next thing he knew, he was standing outside the antique shop, or at least where it used to be. The shops around the antique shop were still the same, the only difference is the antique shop just vanished leaving nothing.

"Magic. Is real?" He asked himself, unable to believe it.

He looked at the book in his hand, he caressed the embossed letters of the condescending title. He shook his head, he knew that he needed to accept this new reality of his. But it's not proving easy. He decided to go home for the moment and take his mind of things. He still needs to find a job after all, unless he wants to be homeless.

It was Six o'clock when Frank arrived at his apartment. He dragged his tired body up the stairs, unaware of the danger that awaits for him.