Edwyn Byers is your typical prospectless 17-year-old. Several months out of Secondary School, he has no plans for his life. All he knows is that he doesn't want those plans to involve students. Eventually, he decides to join the British Army. Why not? Good money, a sense of purpose, and maybe he could learn some of this 'discipline' that his parents and teachers are so fond of. After the minimum four years, he'll either want to stay or have gained some inspiration for what to do with the rest of his life. After a meeting at the Recruitment Centre, however, everything changes. He's invited to join a 'special branch' of the army after he answers certain questions in the right way. In this special branch, he'll be learning to fight using more traditional weapons, but against a less-than-traditional enemy. He gathers his belongings and is thrust through an underground doorway into darkness and a thrilling world filled with magic, mystery, danger, and some fantastic new friends.