Read mainiac97's The Adventure Through Runescape, because it is part of our Shared Universe.
Please read the author notes located at the bottom of every chapter, for there are Review Qs that ask you to participate in the story itself. Thank you for your time.
The Sphere of Varrock
Chapter One: Prepare for the Exams!
Solo stood patiently waiting for Dragoxis. He tapped his foot impatiently, and then breathed out a sigh of frustration.
Where is that idiotic brother of mine? he thought angrily. He was supposed to bring the training swords and equipment right away!
Solo Pehkayer had been waiting years for this day to come-the day he would begin learning how to use a sword. Granted, Dragoxis wasn't the best person to learn it from, but their father was away on business and Mother was out shopping at the market.
Solo was scrawny, but determined to learn. He had dirty brown hair and ocean blue eyes. Today he wore his lucky brown tunic along with his white cotton pants and brown moccasins.
He hoped that one day he would be admitted into the White Knights of Falador, a group of knights who were the best in the land. They had grace, dignity, and incredible armor! They were only several miles north of his home in Rimmington.
But I won't be learning anything if Dragoxis doesn't hurry his butt along! he thought.
Several hours later, Dragoxis finally showed up. He had his hand in his long white hair, trying to get it to lay down. He never could keep his hair from sticking up, but he claimed that girls dug it. He wore the practice swords-one strapped to his back and the other along his waist-and he also carried a piece of white paper.
Dragoxis grinned and said, "Sorry I'm late; I met this extremely hot chick back in Rimmington. Long blonde hair, luscious green eyes, and her chest…don't even get me started on that rack!" Dragoxis chuckled dreamily.
Solo seethed. "Really, Dragoxis? How is it that when ever I turn around, you're hitting on another girl?"
His brother paused. "Maybe it's because I have the skills to teach those babes how it's done." He then broke out laughing again.
Don't yell, Solo. Don't yell, Solo thought rapidly. It's not your fault that your oldest brother is a lecherous fool.
"So are you ready to train?" asked Dragoxis, his mouth still wide with pride.
"If you're quite done stuffing your ego," Solo replied sharply.
Dragoxis rolled his eyes and put away the note which was scribbled on with pink ink. Solo's brother was a certified genius and yet was unusually blunt and oblivious about some things. If it weren't for Solo and his other brother Scar, Dragoxis would probably have been killed long ago.
Dragoxis pulled out his own sword and held it out in front of him. "The first thing to learn is how to hold a sword. You can hold it with your left or your right, but since you're right-handed you should wield with your right."
Solo grabbed his practice sword and copied Dragoxis. "Like this?"
His brother smiled. "Exactly! The second thing is stance."
Solo frowned. "What do you mean by that, Dragoxis?"
"Stance is the way you stand while holding your weapon. Different weapons require different stances, and sometimes there are different stances for the same weapon; watch how I do it. See how I place one foot several inches behind the other? I also lean slightly toward my opponent; you try."
Solo duplicated his brother's stance perfectly.
Dragoxis broke out into a large grin. "Good! You have the regular sword stance down. There are other sword fighting techniques, but you'll learn those later."
This went on for several hours. Dragoxis taught his little brother almost everything to do with a blade. Solo Pehkayer was confident that he would pass the White Knight Exam and become an apprentice to some senior White Knight.
Dragoxis and Solo began to walk back home, the sun low on the horizon. Both were sweating from their intense workout; it was worth it, however. Solo flinched as he felt his side, sure that it was in stitches. The only sound was their feet stirring up the dust of the road as they marched onward toward the little town of Rimmington.
He turned to Dragoxis. "Drag, what was that girl's name?" Maybe she has a sister, Solo thought.
His brother frowned thoughtfully. "Do you mean the girl with the healthy figure?"
Chuckling, Solo said, "Yes, that one, brother."
His brother put his finger on his lips, deep in thought, trying to remember. The girl's name was obviously not as important to Dragoxis as her body, for he didn't say anything for several minutes. "Oh, now I remember! Her name was Will LeCeux; and she did have a younger sister if I'm correct. What was her name? I think it was Emma." Dragoxis noticed his little brother's expression and broke out into a grin. "Oh, now I see why you inquired. You want to spend some quality, leisure time with Will's little sister, don't you?"
Solo stuttered a quick denial. "No, that's not what I meant! You have it all wrong!"
Dragoxis would not have it, however, because for the entire way home, he picked and chided on his little brother Solo. By the time they were safe and sound in their two-story home, Solo was ready to punch his brother.
He sat by candlelight in his little room back home in Rimmington. Solo was writing steadily in his journal about learning how to use a sword, shield, and potions. The exams wouldn't start for another four months.
The exam is going to be tough and I can't even remember the basics of swordplay, he thought.
Solo wondered if he would pass. There were dozens of potential Knights coming from all over the countryside to register. Why would they pick somebody as scrawny as he?
Putting down his pen, he climbed wearily into his bed. He would worry about the exam when it came. He blew out the candle and he instantly fell asleep.
Solo always followed a tight schedule when he woke up. First he took a shower, then he got dressed, ate his breakfast, and did his chores. When he was done with all that, he went to the Rimmington Well, a mile or so outside the little town.
It was just a tiny well made of limestone bricks, constructed back when the town was little more than a trading post. Solo found it to be a very peaceful spot to think and relax. He visited it when his grandma Pepper had passed away, when he was first beaten up by Bozo the town bully, and when his first crush had slapped him for touching her; that one particularly stung.
Solo trudged diligently down the worn-out dirt path that led directly through grassy fields and to the well. Situated around it were several small grey boulders that one could sit on while they rested.
Solo leaned over the well and stared at his watery reflection. "It's me again. I thought I should come to pay regards to you since I'm going to be leaving."
He chose the nearest boulder, and with his elbows resting on the lip of the well, sat down. Sometimes Solo would talk to the well, though he knew he could never tell anyone about it or they'd label him a freak. It wasn't like he was the most popular teenager in his town; that title belonged to the gorgeous, blue-haired beauty Tory Midae.
How long had he harbored a secret crush for her? It had been almost an entire year since she'd appeared seemingly out of nowhere. When he had seen her, he knew that he was in love; a teen's idea of love, but love either way.
Her blue hair tipped with silver, her silver-stained lips, and her icy silvery-blue eyes set her apart from many girls his age. Strange as it was, he knew her exact schedule. In the morning, she would train on the sandy beaches miles south of Rimmington. Occasionally, Solo would follow her just to watch her. Tory would constantly stretch, jog, and practice with her weapon which was foreign to Solo.
By the time noon rolled around, Tory's entire body was covered in glistening sweat; this was enhanced more by the fact that she wore a blue bathing suit during exercise.
Solo, being a hormone-crazed teen, found this exciting. He marveled at her stunning physique, and was amazed at the curves she had. To be honest, she looked very sexy.
At noon, she would put on her dress and head to the Rimmington grove. Solo didn't dare follow her in, too afraid he would step on a branch and alert her to his presence. Rumor was that Tory meditated while in a trance when she was in the grove.
Around dinnertime, Tory would spend an hour at the same well Solo was now.
The crunch of a stick brought Solo back to reality. Walking not twenty paces away was Tory!
Oh crap! Solo thought worriedly. The most beautiful girl in town is coming right toward me; what should I do? Smile, leave, pretend that I don't care?
Before he could make up his mind, she was standing in front of him, looking down at him with her silver-blue eyes. At first, neither of them said anything to the other one. She kept gazing at him, not a trace of any emotion on her face, while he tried not to throw up.
"You're Solo Pehkayer, right?" Solo could hardly believe that the Tory Midae knew his name, let alone was talking to him.
"Uh, yeah I am," he replied. What was going on? Was he actually having a conversation with Tory Midae? He couldn't possibly be; it was too unbelievable. She had this weird way of speaking, as if she were some kind of oracle, whose every word was a prophecy. If Solo had to describe it in one word, he would say it was elegant.
"You go to school with me. You're the kid who gets picked on all the time."
Sighing, he said, "Not that I need to be reminded, but yes, I am that kid."
An awkward silence soon followed, with neither teens speaking for a long time. Tory Midae cast around hopelessly for something to say, when her eyes lit upon the well. "Solo, you come to this well, too?"
He followed her eyes to the well that he visited almost every day. "Yeah, I come here often; it helps take my mind of the teasing."
"I come here, too. It's a very peaceful place and it helps me write. You look surprised?"
Solo did look surprised. "It's just that, I never thought a popular girl like you would be into…literature. I mean you're so beautiful."
It had escaped from his mouth before he could stop it. He had actually told her she was beautiful! Great, now she was going to commence with the I-Just-Want-To-Be-Friends act and he'd die a little inside.
She stood there thoughtfully, her mind running through countless dialogues. Finally she grabbed Solo and brought her face to his. He couldn't breathe and he struggled not to puke right there and then. Is this really happening to me? Is Tory Midae about to really kiss me?
Her lips met his and he swore that he could see bright, multi-colored fireworks going off; that's how great it felt!
As if by instinct, he wrapped his arms around her waist; she mirrored his action. They stood there, holding each other, lips intertwined like they were alone in the world. Solo had no idea how long it lasted, only that it was the greatest thing that had ever happened to him in his tiny existence.
And like that, it was over. She was smiling at him and his heart sounded like a drum that would explode anytime now. "Why did you do that?" he asked her.
Her answer was simple and strange. With a smile still etched onto her face, she responded. "I like kissing, I like boys, and I like you Solo Pehkayer." She turned and walked away, but not without saying one more thing.
"You have great lips, Solo. One day we will meet again and on that day, you'll be mine. Save a place for me in your heart, dear boy." She was gone, up the road and out of Solo's life. He would never forget her, never. That was the day that Solo gained confidence in his abilities and in himself.
His family escorted him to the walls of the city of Falador. He gazed up at the city in wonder and excitement. Today was really the day.
Solo turned around and spoke, "Well, I guess I'll see you guys later."
His mother started crying and hugged him tightly, almost refusing to let him go until his father rescued him. "Give it your best, son."
Solo smiled. "Thanks, Father." He turned to his brothers.
Scar patted him on the shoulder and wished him luck. Dragoxis simply smiled, then winked. "Remember, always use protection."
Solo rolled his eyes dramatically, while his mother turned a stern eye on his pervy brother.
With his goodbyes behind him, he started for the gates of the city. The guards standing there waved good morning to him as he passed. Here is where all his dreams would finally come true.
As he entered the city, his nose was assaulted by a wonderful smell-the smell of baking bread! Solo glanced around until he found the shop that the smell must be coming from. The little bakery was just to his right, surrounded by other shops.
Before he could take a step in its direction, he was stopped by an old man in a green mage's robe.
"Excuse me, son, are you a White Knight applicant?" he asked.
Solo turned to the old man and nodded. "Yes, sir, I have come here to take the White Knight exam."
The old man broke into a wrinkled smile. "I knew it! I noticed all the stuff you're carrying and knew it right away!" The mage frowned deeply. "But you are going to be late."
Solo gasped. "What do you mean?"
The old mage pointed to the distant castle. "They just let in the last applicant, now. They stop taking them in about two minutes."
"Agh! I have to go, but thanks for the warning!" Solo quickly yelled as he set off down the street.
He ran as fast as his heavy luggage would let him. On his run, he noticed a sword, magic, shield, and general shop. He didn't have the time to discern their names, though, for he was galloping as fast as a horse!
Finally he arrived at the Falador Castle. Sweat rolled off him like rain off a tree. The castle was huge and white with huge battlements. He could see several White Knights and guards walking back on force on the walls.
One day that'll be me up there. Solo thought dreamily.
"Hey, kid!"
The shout of an increasingly angry man broke him out of his reverie. The man wore a blue tunic and brown leggings.
"Uh, yes sir?" Solo answered meekly.
The man seethed angrily. "Are you here to register?"
Solo whimpered in spite of himself. "Yes sir, I want to become a White Knight."
The man laughed cruelly. "A runt like you? You will never be a White Knight!"
"And why not?" Solo said bravely.
The Angry Man-as Solo had come to call him in his mind-reached out and pushed him onto his butt. "Because we're no longer taking applications!"
A mirror cracked somewhere in Solo Pehkayer's mind. He was too late? Solo would never become a White Knight!
I'll never become a White Knight? All my hard work…gone!
Review Q: How would you react if you thought your dream was ruined? Tell me in a review.
Credits: Tory Midae was originally entered in a competition hosted by The Adventure Through Runescape's author mainiac97.
Next Chapter: White Knight Exams.
Until next we meet, adieu!
List of Legend of the Sphere stories chronologically:
The Origin of the Sphere
The Sphere of Varrock / Spirit of the Sphere (Alternate Universe)
War for the Sphere / Secret Diary (Alternate Future)
The Adventure Through Runescape (by mainiac97)
Sphere of Varrock and The Adventure Through Runescape (by mainiac97) share the same universe. Mine takes place one year prior to his.
