This was the lightning branch.

The two large yellow stones in front of the door that arched when I got close was my first clue. The second was the big yellow sign over the door that read Mage Guild – Lightning Specialty.

I walked through the swinging wooden doors. It reminded me of the old westerns that I used to watch with my father. I pictured myself walking into a salon out west, complete with the loud cowboys and piano.

There was no piano inside, or cowboys, but there were a lot of yellow stones on the ceiling that lit up the room. Glass cases lined the walls. Each case housed a different item, but every one of them had a yellow hue.

I was drawn to a case to my left. Inside was a sword like the one I had on my hip. That wasn’t true. The sword in the case was much better than the one I carried. Silver runes ran up the blade, casting a yellow hue out of the edges. It crackled with power, so much that it shocked me when I touched the case. The hilt was even better, black runes were scored into the leather. It looked like it weighed less than the one I had. All of that wasn’t the best part either. The best part was the yellow stone in the base of the hilt. What I was looking at was a soul blade like the one that Mei carried.

“You like?” A young Hispanic man walked up to me. He was wearing a blue robe to cover his arms, but he had the hood back.

I looked down at him. He had kind brown eyes. I instantly knew that he was a player and not a character.

“It’s very nice.” I said. "But I didn’t come here to buy.”

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“It doesn’t hurt to look.” He waved at the character behind the counter.

A tall figure in a purple robe walked over to us. Even with his hood up and his arms covered I could tell that this person had power.

“This young lady.” He paused. "What’s your name?”

“Kat.” I said

“Hi Kat.” He held out his hand. "I’m Jonnie.”

I shook his hand. Before I could say anything he turned back to the mage in purple. "Anyway. Kat.” He winked at me. "Would like to look at Fulgur Sectis.”

“Oh no,” I held up my hands. "I’m good.”

The Mage unlocked the case and took out the sword. He offered it to me hilt first.

“Really.” I waved my hands. "I’m good.”

“Come on.” Jonnie smiled. "It doesn’t cost anything to look.”

I sighed and took the sword. I had been expecting it to weigh a little less than mine, but it felt like I was holding a feather. I twisted the sword in the air in front of me. I could move it as fast as I could twist my wrist. I felt like I could swing it for hours and never get tired.

With each swing it buzzed. It was like I had a personal bee following the sword as I cut the air.

“You should try the power.” Jonnie pointed at the hilt

The mage took the sword from my hand. "Not indoors.”

Jonnie shrugged. "I tried.”

The mage replaced the sword in the case. "Twenty thousand.”

I felt my eyes bulge. "Twenty thousand gold? For a sword?”

“Not just a sword.” Jonnie held up a finger. "Fulgur Sectis.”

I shook my head. "Thanks, but I didn’t come here for a sword.”

The mage nodded and went back behind the counter.

“What did you come here for?” Jonnie asked. "I could help you find it.”

“I just need a spell book.” I said.