Sword Art Online: Exiled Dragon Beater

An Unexpected Ally

Jordan trudged down the dirt road, glancing back at the towering castle now far in the distance. The shock of his abrupt exile was starting to wear off, leaving him with a mix of anger and determination. He clenched his sword tightly, vowing to prove that he didn't need the kingdom's approval to be a hero.

But as he walked, the weight of the situation sank in. He was in a completely unfamiliar world with no allies,  no supplies, and no idea where he was headed. Every step felt heavier, and the adrenaline from the summoning was fading fast. Still, his spirit remained unbroken.

"Alright, Jordan," he muttered to himself, forcing a smile. "Just like in SAO. Stay positive, keep moving forward, and maybe—" His stomach grumbled, interrupting his pep talk. "—maybe find some food first."

The path wound through a dense forest, sunlight trickling through the canopy above. Birds chirped, and a faint breeze rustled the leaves. Despite his exile, Jordan couldn't help but admire the beauty of the world. There was something raw and peaceful about it, a stark contrast to the grandeur of the castle and the harshness of its people.

As he rounded a bend in the path, he heard voices up ahead. Jordan froze, instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword. He crept forward, peering through the bushes. A small group of armed men stood in a clearing, talking and laughing amongst themselves. They were rough-looking, their armor scuffed and worn, and they appeared to be guarding something.

Jordan squinted, catching sight of a cage behind them. Inside, huddled together, were several Beastkin—men and women with fur, scales, and feathers, their faces marked by exhaustion and fear.

Jordan's heart twisted. His mind flashed back to the Beastkin he'd seen in the castle, their chains, their defeated expressions. Here was another group, locked up and treated as if they were nothing more than animals. The kingdom's cruelty seemed to stretch far beyond its walls.

He knew he couldn't just walk away.

Taking a deep breath, he tightened his grip on his sword. "Alright, Jaden," he whispered, calling himself by his in-game name for a boost of confidence. "You've handled worse in SAO. Time to show them what a Beater can do."

With a determined stride, he stepped into the clearing. The guards looked up, their laughter fading as they sized him up.

"Who're you?" one of them sneered, gripping his sword. "This isn't a place for travelers."

Jordan held his ground, raising his sword slightly. "I couldn't help but notice you've got some people locked up there. Let them go."

The guards exchanged glances before bursting into laughter. "Listen to this kid!" one of them jeered. "Doesn't even have a real sword, just some shiny thing he probably picked up from a vendor!"

Ignoring their taunts, Jordan took a deep breath, calming his nerves. He reminded himself that he had faced countless monsters and bosses in SAO, always trusting his instincts. These guards were no different.

Without another word, he charged forward, his sword gleaming as he swung. The guard who'd spoken first barely had time react before Jordan's blade knocked him backward. Jordan flowed seamlessly into his next move, his speed catching the remaining guards off guard. He weaved between them, dodging blows and striking with precision, just as he would in the game.

Within moments, the guards were on the ground, groaning in defeat. Jordan stood over them, breathing heavily but victorious. He turned to the cage, where the Beastkin watched him with a mixture of awe and disbelief.

"Hold on, I'll get you out of there," he said, searching the guards for a key. Finally, he found one and unlocked the cage door. The Beastkin hesitated, staring at him as if unsure whether to trust him.

"It's alright," Jordan assured them, offering a reassuring smile. "You're free to go."

One of them, a young woman with fox-like ears and a fluffy tail, stepped forward. She had a wary expression but nodded gratefully. "Thank you... I didn't think anyone would stand up for us." Her voice was soft, and her eyes held a glimmer of hope.

Jordan rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit bashful. "No problem! I couldn't just leave you there."

The fox-girl smiled, her gaze warming slightly. "My name is Kaela. I...I'm not sure where we'll go now, but you've given us a chance. That's more than anyone else has done."

Before Jordan could respond, a distant shout echoed through the trees. More guards were on their way. Kaela's eyes widened, and she tugged his arm. "We have to move! They'll capture us all if they find us here."

Jordan nodded, glancing at the rest of the Beastkin. "Alright, everyone, follow me! Let's get out of here!"

Together, they took off into the forest, darting between the trees as the guards' voices grew louder behind them. Jordan led them, guiding them through narrow trails and hidden paths, his instincts kicking in as he relied on the skills he'd honed in SAO.

After what felt like hours, they finally reached a secluded glade far from the road. Jordan signaled for everyone to stop, and they all collapsed onto the ground, catching their breath.

Kaela looked up at him, gratitude in her eyes. "You saved us... I don't even know how to thank you."

Jordan gave a small laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "Ah, don't mention it! It was just the right thing to do." He paused, glancing around at the others. "But... what are you guys going to do now? Isn't there somewhere safe for you to go?"

Kaela's expression darkened. "There are a few villages where the Beastkin live in secret, hidden from the kingdom. But it's dangerous... They patrol constantly, looking for us. Most of our kind are captured and forced into slavery." She looked away, her voice barely a whisper. "It's been this way for as long as I can remember."

Jordan's heart ached for them. He couldn't imagine living under such conditions, constantly fearing for his freedom. His mind raced, an idea forming.

"What if I helped you?" he said suddenly, his eyes bright with determination. "I'm not from this world, so I don't exactly have a place to go either. I could protect you guys and make sure you're safe."

The Beastkin exchanged skeptical glances, but Kaela studied him thoughtfully. "You would really do that? Even though we're just... Beastkin?"

Jordan's gaze was firm. "You're not 'just' anything. You're people, and you deserve to live free." He smiled, his determination unshakable. "Besides, a real hero doesn't turn his back on those who need help, right?"

Kaela's eyes softened, and a flicker of hope appeared on her face. "Thank you, Jaden. We'll accept your help... and maybe, just maybe, together, we can make a difference."

As the Beastkin began setting up a small camp in the glade, Jordan felt a sense of purpose settle within him. He may have been exiled from the kingdom, but here, among these people, he had found a reason to fight. His journey as a hero was just beginning—and he was determined to bring justice to this world, one step at a time.