Let's Begin

...-The Call of a Broken Moon-...

"Taylor? We're here."

Countless centuries of experience had taught him to be always observant. Even when he gave, as what the real Taylor had supplied, the city, named Brockton Bay, a meaningful time of acquainting himself by absorbing what he can from the inside of the vehicle they were on. The glass tinted view of the window panel revealed much of the alien world. The people themselves were, well, people. Ordinary citizens that walked the streets gave no immediate exposure of their differences from the people of his world.

There were no Grimm from what he can gleam from the local and national media being shown by the televisions and the various newspapers that he requested from the hospital workers and Taylor's own father, Danny Herbert. Furthermore, from what Taylor herself further supplied, he was now quite certain that he was utterly stranded in an unknown and strange world with his allies, enemies, and Salem nowhere to be found.

Additionally, threats like the Endbringers- unstoppable abominations that need to be eradicated regardless of what world he was on, and the distinct influence of the so called parahumans, people with special abilities as akin to the hunter's semblances, brought some unique and odd variance of the planet called earth that made even him quite the pause.

However, most people stuck in his position of being transported to another world and removed from their own home would have find themselves emotionally compromised. A reasonable reaction that Ozpin, or his original title from a bygone era, Ozma, understands and even admits that he has an inclined notion towards. But thousands of years spent fighting an immortal monster that carries the visage of his very wife leaves him in a state that would even make his younger self stood aghast at the distinct parallel.

In other words, he is utterly stripped of what ordinary people would consider a 'normal' emotional response would entail. In simpler words, courtesy of his eternal life, he, Ozma, slave of the brother gods, undying servant of the greater good, and the Hero of Remnant, is too dead inside to even feel a surge of panic or longing for some manner of personal comfort.

"Y-you are?" A small, meek and feminine voice muttered at the back of his mind and caused him to subvert his attention to his current host, one amongst untold many that was ill fated to be intertwined with him. Although, he did take note about the series of events that influenced Ms. Herbert's position to be incarcerated to the hospital in the first place and come to the inevitable conclusion that he must visit Taylor's school and, in particularly, the school's officials in regards to a proper and just practice of student welfare once he was settled and adjusted enough to operate in this world.

Sensing the encroaching query of his host, he let out a soft chuckle and replied with a quiet whisper," The word 'living' is, to someone such as I, simply another world that I can only ever dream of in this timeless destiny, Ms. Herbert." He gave the view of the window side beside him, a picturesque look of the neighborhood of Taylor's home, one last look before continuing," So, to my everlasting life, yes, I do feel dead inside-"

"No! No… S-sorry, I just meant that…" He gave her a patient nod, assuring her that he was listening and showing that he would not bite back. An important response from what he had learned from sheer experience and as a professor, as well as other careers from his previous hosts that delved into human interaction, when it comes to dealing with children, students, and even other hunters.

"Well…" He was moving from the left side of the backseat and unto to the other side. He then gave the door a cursory glance, moved his right hand downwards and into the car handle, opened it, and stepped outside. He was immediately beseeched by a two-story house, ordinary standards from what the neighboring houses look like, and then relaxed once he was certain that any danger whatsoever haven't revealed themselves to him… yet.

He was aware that most of his trusted allies and, especially, those who he considers as a threat to him, to his students, and to the general populace may consider him to be too paranoid through and through. He admits that it was not an incorrect judge of his character… it was simply the numerous deaths of his previous hosts influencing his current actions to be more prepared than just adequate.

Besides, he has a vested interest in keeping Ms. Herbert alive and well not just because he isn't sure if he would even transfer to another host in this world once his current one perishes or would, if the brother gods or fate still considers his service's duty undone, be able to return Remnant to continue his quest as a huntsman to slay Salem… but because it is simply an unfeasible outcome to leave Ms. Herbert to her fate of continual harassment from her peers and to not, at the very least, offer his own assistance to this parahuman filled world that consists of people in need of help from the monsters that plagued them.

"Y-you implied that you're a hero."

He paused, mid-step. The action itself caused his- Taylor's body to lurch forward and nearly tumbled downwards. Normally, it would not have been a problem. Unfortunately, he had forgotten that his weapon, a reliable and durable cane, wasn't in his possession and his eyes widened fractionally but before his honed instinct could take over and perform a proper and advanced combat roll, Danny Herbert, Taylor's father, caught him. He had also forgotten how close was he to him and noted how lost was he in thought over Taylor's simple question.

"Taylor! Are you okay?" Danny Herbert asked, his face marked with worry.

"… Yes, yes, I am." Ozma replied back.

It all felt surreal. Being back home, laying in my bed, and thinking about what happens now. The hospital had deemed me healthy enough to be discharged and, if it weren't for the fact that a strange man is currently inside of my head, then everything would be back to normal. Except it isn't and I don't know what to think of it.

It is now about 4pm in the afternoon. I don't want to go outside. I just want to lay in my bed and… what? Take a nap? Well… I've done nothing but sleep all day and staring at the moon every night for the last few weeks with the occasional stories from an old man about his home and being asked in return by said old man some basic information about earth, parahumans, and, especially, Endbringers.

For a while, it went on like that.

"S-sir? Headmaster Ozpin?" I asked, noting the similar white floors above before I concluded that I've had enough of the hospital style decorum and twisted my head to the side. I've managed to snatch a familiar pillow in my foot and held it tightly in my chest in a way that makes me feel more at ease. I relaxed a short while, giving a quiet sigh in my bedroom as I trace the texture of the brown wooden door in front of me.

"Ozpin is fine, Ms. Herbert." Ozpin replied after a short pause. I listened to the sound of the hanging clock in the meanwhile. " Would I be right to guess that you would want another story of my world?" He replied. Any hints of annoyance from his grandfatherly tone weren't present from what I can deduce and so I thought about what I would say.

"What kind of hero are you on your world?" I inquired. That got a reaction. I've felt it and for the first time since he was within me, I feel a strong sense of uncertainty radiating off from him. It was like feeling another emotion not my own welling deep inside of me. Like I was a moon drifting together with the sun itself on the empty galaxy in a very close proximity while somehow not getting burn by the closeness of the sheer intensity of the heat in the process. Overall, I've felt like that I overstepped some boundaries and tried to take back my word but the soft chuckle coming from him put a halt in my retraction.

"It's fine, Ms. Herbert." He assured me. I wasn't sure that it really is fine or he's just saying that to comfort me but I sighed in relief either way. Somehow, I managed to plunged my face in the depths of my pillow even deeper in the middle of all that. Curse my lack of social skills. However, before I could ponder more about my own hubris, Ozpin replied again," The kind of hero that I am? Well, I'm afraid the answer itself may disappoint you."

"Why?" I meekly asked.

"Because I'm not the hero that I once was. I'm a hunter. Nothing more, nothing less. I hunt the smallest of beasts and the most terrible monstrosities that plagued my world. I do not live the life of what you may consider an ordinary human would for even I do not consider myself as such. I am akin to the monsters that I slew and hunt, day and night, life and death. What I am is simply someone on a timeless destiny fighting a dream that I'm not even sure would one day come true."

"Oh… I-I'm sorry… " I whispered after a long moment of silence.

"It should be I that must apologize, Ms. Herbert." He answered. I was about to ask why but he beat me to it when he continued," After all, your fate is now intertwined with mine. You would no longer live a normal life because I am here."

"… ever?" I asked unsurely and hesitantly as I slowly connect the dots with no medications to hinder my thought process and came to the conclusion that does not make me comfortable at all.

"Yes."

We both fell silent.

I then noticed that I was sweating. Uncomfortably so. The not-so-distant noise of the fan in my room paved way to diverting my attention towards myself. I do not like this feeling. The feeling of helplessness. To not being able to do anything to escape the moment that I am trapped with. It all felt like I'm back in that hellish locker room and there's nothing I could do to open some kind of light to comfort myself with. Who would want to be in my position? To live the rest of your days being deprived of your personal life. To know that you will never truly be alone. That every action, big and small, is done under watchful eye of someone else. It's a nightmare… a real one that only ends when I die.

"May I ask why are you so eager to know what kind of hero that I am?" The old man within me asked. I did not miss the fact that it might have been influenced by him sensing my own dilemma or he might have been genuinely curious. Maybe both. But the only answer that I can only give was me burying myself in my pillow even further. I might have said to him that I don't know why. That it was just simple curiosity. But we both know that I am, in fact, going to live the rest of my days, my entire life, in a world similar to that locker room. To suffer a fate that I can't escape. It was fucking unfair… I hate this… so much.

"I'm sorry, Taylor, I truly am."

Those were the last words I've heard before falling asleep.

I dreamt of that world again.

"Taylor… you're drifting again."

I blinked. I blinked again as I took in the scene before me. I was holding a fork… then I was… oh, oh right, lunch. I am currently having lunch with my dad. And said dad was frowning at the moment. But before I could find an excuse at the fact that a strange old man from another world in my head convinced me to stay up late last night to browse the internet and gather information about the parahumans, history, and events that happened and currently happening in my world, I involuntarily gave out a long yawn and I winced afterwards as I witness my dad's brow furrowed deeper.

"I'm sorry, what we were talking about?" I sheepishly asked and, thankfully, dad only shook his head and gave a huge sigh.

"… we were talking about the fact that tomorrow we're going to file a complaint on those who did this to you." Dad revealed.

"T-that fast!?" I spluttered out. The action itself caused Danny Herbert to frown again and eventually turn his expression into one with concern as I try not to panic at the sheer fact that I'll be in the presence of Emma, Sophia, and the rest who made my life a living hell again.

"Taylor… it's been a week since you've been discharged from the hospital and brought home..."

Really? Oh… Right. I was busy. Or more exactly, Ozpin was busy enough that I was force to spend a couple of days doing nothing but research and research. I was getting sick of it so much that I even let him take control with my entire body to do all the work that he insists is worth the sacrifice. It was weird watching my own body moving as it was controlled by someone else. However, it did help me get some rest by shutting myself off in a way. Though, even then, I still feel my body getting tired - Just not mentally fatigued - when Ozpin is done with his research and returned my control. Regardless, I didn't realize that an entire week has passed…

"I'm getting worried." Dad admitted. "You've been… up all night." I winced." I can see the light on your room under your door, Taylor. At first, I thought it was because you needed something to get your mind off from the- from what happened." I saw him catch himself as he then continued after a short span of silence." Then there were times where I saw you acting different. Like you were being controlled by someone else. Hell, I thought you were being mastered or something… But I guess it's just…" He trailed off and we were left in an awkward state together.

For an entire minute, maybe more, I didn't know what to do. I couldn't tell dad the truth or else I would end up quarantined as a suspected mastered individual. Not that I don't trust dad, it's just, as Ozpin informed me, would be a pain to deal with the incoming dreads of knowing whether or not someone in the house spilled, even unintentionally, the beans and the PRT came knocking on my door… well he painted it in a much more fancy and formal tone but I'm only fifteen!

Besides, I don't think Ozpin would sit idly by as I get carted off to the PRT to be questioned either. I could tell that the old man has plans. And I don't think that said old man would want his plans to be delayed even by the government themselves. Hence, I was left with the position of awkwardly picking my food off and begging the universe to give me the opportunity to escape this conversation.

Thankfully, in a way, the universe did accept my plea and granted me asylum as I saw dad taking another sigh for the umpteenth time and ate his breakfast of eggs and bacon that I soon followed after. The lunch came by with small talks that deflected the elephant in the room and was finished with me cleaning the plate afterwards. I hid another wince as I saw my dad trying to say something behind me before he shook his head and went upstairs. However, just as I thought that it was over and felt a huge amount of guilt- I heard his footsteps halting on the stairs.

"I'll be heading out later." A pause before continuing." Just some work stuff that I needed to sort off with the boys and I'll be back before evening." Another pause." If you... if you need someone to talk to… I'm... I'm here. Always." I then heard him continuing his walk upstairs and the sound of door closing distantly soon after. When I was sure that he was away, I paused, listened just to be sure, and gave a tired sigh in the empty air afterwards.

"Apologies, Ms. Herbert. It would seem that I failed to notice your father's presence when I was doing my research last night… and the night before." I can feel him frowning at himself within me. "I assure you; it won't happen again." I believed him. From the few days I've spent with him, the old man was paranoid beyond measures and I think that he'd already made plans to conduct his nightly researches without being seen like how he manages to do so at the hospital, in a plain and obvious hospital gown, with not even a single freaking medical staff, security personnel, or the numerous daily visitors noticing him sneaking off and coming back with none the wiser… at a day time, nonetheless.

"It's fine, I understand." I assured him.

"Is it the dreams?"

"S-sorry?" I inquired as I was caught off-guard.

"You were distracted earlier."

"Well… yeah… and also…" I paused, before knowing that Ozpin won't be so biased unlike the school teachers and my classmates. After all, I had days to be with him in my hospital bed. Literal weeks spent knowing him... And an entire life stuck with him in my head... What kind of parahuman inherited power is this? " A-about Emma, tomorrow, and I… I guess… what will happen now."

"Whatever challenges, obstacles, and troubles that lay ahead, I swear to you that I will always be at your side."

An entire minute passed, then I sighed." That's what… that's what scares me the most Ozpin… I will never be truly alone." I was shaking. I had to take another minute to stop myself before I manage to cut my hands with the kitchen knives and sharp forks. Afterwards, I cleaned the moisture in my eyes and took a moment to clean my eye-glasses with a clean and unused towel near me. When I was ready to continue my chores, I let out a heavy sigh again." I hate that I don't have a choice with this."

"So do I, Ms. Herbert. So do I… "

I was close to finishing my dishes when I noticed something. A mug. A white porcelain mug in the midst of the usual plates, forks and spoons. What was odd about it was that it invoked a feeling of familiarity within me so much so that it gave me a pause. However, what was even more alarming was that it was only now that I realize that I was already holding it in my right arm as if it was the most natural thing to do… and… and- wait, why do I crave caffeine?

"Ozpin, Am I losing my mind or something?"

"How so?- … Oh."

"Am I-"

"You are not losing your mind, Ms. Herbert… I think."

"What?"

"You are perfectly fine and have absolutely nothing to worry about. After all, although this… event would only be more prominent as you grew older, I believe that with the proper guidance and the right amount of training, as I always give to my previous hosts, we would be able to delay the inevitable."

"… Delay what?"

"Delay the part where I inevitably take over you, entirely… and permanently."

"WHAT!?"

"Ms. Herbert! You are dropping my mug- I meant the mug! The mug! if you will! Hurry!"

"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO EARLIER!"

To be continued...

Next update: First week of April

AN:

Poor Taylor... just when you think that you have a powerful immortal wizard having your back in the entirety of your remaining existence would be actually remotely beneficial for you, said powerful immortal wizard also carries the risk of waking up one day and not being you... anymore and forever. Heh. Gosh I'm evil...

Anyhow, I would like to make a statement and say that, yes, Aura will be a thing.

Hope you enjoy this chapter, please leave a review (If you so desire, but no pressure if otherwise), criticisms are welcomed, and I hope you have a pleasant evening and a wonderful tomorrow.

Stay safe, you lots.