Morning arose in the world of Aincrad, the sun's light rays through the room window hitting a bed housing a Chestnut haired woman sleeping on it. Which caused her to summon herself from her deep slumber. To her disappointment she was still within SAO, it wasn't a dream, it was indeed real. She got up and dressed herself ready for the day but what put off the vibe was her depressive nature. Asuna was still overwhelmed by Kayaba's information she was afraid to even walk out the front door but she eventually left her inn ignoring the good luck praise by the inn keeper NPC.
(Time skip)
???1: did you know about this rumour on this hidden log out point everyone has been going on about?
???2: it's just a rumour, how do you know for sure that it's real?
This didn't go unheard by the chestnut haired woman as she had a glimpse of hope that she could still go back to the real world. She walked over to the 2 swordsman and began to ask them about this supposed log out point
Asuna: hey do you know where this hidden log out place is?
???1: apparently it's over by the west plain fields and into the forest, they said that it was inside the cave and people were able to log out from there. Sorry that's all I know
With this information Asuna thanked the swordsman shortly afterwards and took off to the west plains to find this glimpse of hope that would lead to her escape from this nightmare.
(Time skip)
Asuna has finally arrived, she was sure that this was the cave the swordsman was talking about. Even though it was just a rumour, it was still hope in her eyes. Asuna soon entered the cave going deeper and deeper with every step she took, but her hope was crushed when a huge beast appeared in front of her. She tried to take her blade out of her scabbard but she couldn't find the will power to draw her blade. Her legs shook in fear, her eyes just said "fear" if you looked into them. Asuna felt hopeless... she started to take steps back until she fell backwards and onto the floor. A rapier fell out of Asuna's hand signalling that it belonged to her but dropped out of her hand after she fell. The beast lifted its weapon ready to crush her, ready to end her life. Asuna couldn't believe it, this was how she went out? She had so much to do in life and it was going to end here. She closed her eyes waiting for her death.
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But it never arrived, the sound a crystals shattering fill her ears as her eyes begin to flutter open taking a glance at why the beast didn't just kill her. Asuna's eyes landed at the back of a swordsman, not to be confused with the one that told her about this cave but a Ronin. The Ronin had light armor with with a straw hat which confused her due to there being no sun to protect them from the sun. Her body began to shut down refusing to stay awake as she lost consciousness in her body, till it fully her view slowly swallowed into darkness.
(Time skip)
Asuna began to see light as her body begins to stir awake, her eyes open which were met by the same Ronin swordsman using the tree trunk beneath him as a chair. All while poking the fire in-front of him with a stick, out of instinct Asuna drew her rapier at a fast speed aiming the tip just a few inches from the Ronin's face or mask shall you call it she never got the chance to see the mask let alone see it at all. But her blade stood strong against the stranger.
???: I won't harm you, don't worry
Even with this reassurance, it encouraged her to close a little more distance from her rapier to the Ronin's neck. The Ronin wasn't fazed by this threat continuing to stab the fire in his presence. Asuna decided to break the tension in this silence.
Asuna: where am I? Who are you?
???: you are just outside the cave you entered in the west plains, and as for my name it can wait. I also heard about the supposed "hidden log out" and was told that a newbie was going to it.
This put down Asuna's mood as she was tricked into thinking she had a chance to leave SAO now the only thing she could do was to clear the game for real. But as well as feeling bad about dragging someone else into the problem she just created, she soon realised that she should be great-full that someone came to her aid. If this Ronin didn't come she would have lost her life.
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(Growling)
Asuna's train of thought was interrupted by her stomach growling. Gaining the attention of the swordsman in-front of her, embarrassed as a slight pinkish hue began to form on her cheeks. Her blade begun to drop off a bit from the Ronins face.
???: here this should help.
Bringing up his menu to navigate to his inventory only to bring out a single loaf in of bread for her to eat. Asuna was reluctant, hesitant that she should take the offer but the urge to have a meal was too much. She eventually gave in to the urge, snatching the bread out of the Ronin's hand and immediately taking a bite from the loaf. She had to say it's not the best thing but the saying aways domes "something is better than nothing"
???: here...
A pot was placed beside the chestnut haired swordswoman, he had noticed that she wasn't eating the loaf easily. The Swordswoman looked at him with eyes of confusion then eyed the jar with curiosity, then back to the swordsman.
???: you seem to be struggling with the bread. This should help you get it down a bit better.
And in a swift motion, Asuna removed the lid off to glance at the contents within.
Asuna: Cream??
She had a look of hesitation on her face, a lot of questions were sprinting around her mind. "What if it's been poisoned" she thought, she couldn't trust the swordsman. Yes he saved her but it could be a trap to lure her into trusting him.
???: if I have wanted you dead I would have done it ages ago, It's not poisoned so don't worry.
With this new reassurance, Asuna scoops up the dairy made substance and spreads it onto her bread. Asuna then takes a bite, tasting the dairy milk taste coursing through her taste buds. Seeing the delight of the new and somewhat simple delicacy, she started to devouring the loaf. Licking her fingers savouring every last bit of bread she could. After finishing her meal, she began to ask the swordsman questions.
Asuna: may I ask how you knew I was going to that cave.
???: I overheard a lot of people talking about this "hidden log out point" and was told that a newbie was coming to it.
Asuna looked down in sadness knowing that she made someone go out of their way to save her. Not that she wasn't great full for the swordsman to save her, but she had a side of disappointment knowing that she wasn't even able to defend herself. Asuna once again continued her arrangement of questions.
Asuna: sooo... may I ask for you name?
???: Muzan.
Muzan? she didn't know what the word really meant being the curious cat she is she wanted to know why he picked such a unique name.
Asuna: Muzan?
Muzan: hmm?
Asuna: may I know the meaning behind it?
Muzan:... it stands for cold-blooded, or Cruelty
Asuna never knew this. She was baffled by how simple name like Muzan stands for those words but she wondered why he chose to have a name like that. She decided to drop the subject until the Swordsman spoke once again.
Muzan: may I know you name?
Asuna: Asuna.
Muzan: just Asuna?
Asuna: welp I didn't really know what name to put down so I just used my real name.
Muzan: very well... it's getting late we should get going.
He then stood up from his seated position ready to walk off after motioning the Chestnut haired swordswoman to follow him. Asuna quickly rose from her seat before setting off with the swordsman.
(Time skip)
Nightfall arrived as the duo had developed their natural night vision able to slightly see through the radiating darkness. Asuna wanted to use a torch but didn't have the items to make one, her mind begin to wonder about why the swordsman in-front of her didn't need a source of light.
Muzan: we are arriving into the town now, this is where we part ways. I'll see you around.
Asuna: wait!
The swordsman stopped in his tracks before rotating his body to face Asuna. Asuna took her chance to ask a simple yet, and unknowingly... the best question she would ever ask.
Asuna: are you able to train me... to fight?
Muzan:....
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Muzan: meet me back here at 0900. Then we shall begin with the basics.
Asuna was in shock yet she was happy. Shock due to the fact the swordsman accepted her offer to train her, happy because she found a way to get stronger. With strength she can find a way out of the world of Sword Art Online.
She might have possibly found...
A New Hope...