This world has an open secret about these powerful and supernatural items called “Artifact”. An artifact is usually bestowed by an enigmatic figure known as the “Shop Owner”. Some say he is an elder man wearing a simple robe. Many however would recant that description by saying he is a bespoke man in his late 40s. The man is said to have a goatee and sharp tongue to entice people to his humble establishment. The appearance of the shop owner might be different but the endings to their stories are the same. They appear back to reality with nothing but the memory of the encounter and a random “Artifact” in their hand.
Takeshi, also known as Tak as he wants to be called, is one such individual who would receive one of these artifacts. It was the middle of the night. The moon hangs low and the smell of ammonia lingers in the air. The job - it was all a mess. It was supposed to be simple. Sneak in. Kill the target. Sneak out. Simple! He did not anticipate the shit he went in. The place is a freakshow. There are bloodstains on the walls and they seem to be drawn in some weird alphabet. His target is in a chair, smiling and muttering to himself. Their eyes connected. The clock struck thrice. There was a click and then an explosion. His target anticipated his assassination and rigged the place with bombs.
The next thing Tak knew, he was standing in a large room. Candles lit the place, and long rows of cabinets filled as far as the eye could see. The specifics were a blur but he saw a man, or something close to it. All these years as a mercenary for hire, living on the edge gets you these heightened senses. And his senses are telling him to bolt out of here. He did not get that chance though as the man suddenly appeared before him, and left a zipper, shining and gold. Merely touching the zipper made him aware of its powers and the possibilities it beholds. He knew there were others and people would hunt him like a dog just because he had one.
Tak would appear days later, in the very same spot where he was supposed to die. What did he do next?