Let's begin

…- The Call of a Broken Moon -…

He had seen this before.

Many times.

Different forms.

Young Taylor and her father haven't noticed them yet. That was fine. Desirable too. Less likelihood of hinting bodily cues for the women that was following them behind to respond and adjust. He then noted how a certain humanoid figure was watching them from a higher vantage point on the rooftops of the neighboring houses as he then reviewed what he had gathered from the representative that attended the meeting in regards to the rather unfortunate locker incident.

The way the representative walks, to the untrained eye, may seem ordinary and natural. But he could see the distinct hallmarks of a trained individual. To him, the odd stiff movements, flickering eyes, and the way she looked at them only confirmed his initial suspicion when he first met her during the meeting.

However, the individual that was following their respective vehicles in a considerable distance was something else entirely. From what little he had experienced in this new world; a normal person shouldn't be able to transform their bodies into a shadow-like state. So, it must have been a parahuman that was trailing their path. Dangerous. Unpredictable. But he had fought many foes that heralded such prowess in combat before.

Furthermore, he had lived long enough to see this manner of confrontation miles before it begins.

Anticipated it, even.

But same cannot be said for his host and his host's father.

They were in an unpredictable and dangerous situation that may very well lead to a scenario that he does not wish to entertain. In other words, he needs to be more unpredictable and dangerous than even them.

His thoughts were soon interrupted as the car's engine slowed to a halt. The representative behind them then parked their own vehicle. Moments later, he was staring at a rather familiar building that greeted them and let the Hebert's family open the door of their own house unalerted. He made no movement for he wasn't in control at the moment but witnessed the formalities of greeting a stranger inside took place with a guarded attention.

For now, he would let Taylor and her father be veiled under a soft illusion for he had seen this before. Many times. Different forms. The fact that he remains stranded on an alien world and away from his true quest in slaying an immortal monster only amplified the need for him to prepare, plan, and conduct necessary precautions in ensuring the optimal outcome. In other words, He would have to ensure that the Hebert's family would survive this night and neutralize the threats that may come with extreme prejudice. Because he would not forgive himself for a long time if he let even one of them die tonight…

However, he is a huntsman first and foremost.

Not the hero that young Taylor would associate him with.

"Ms. Hebert, the cup is rather full." He quickly reminded his host. To which, in return, she flinched as she took notice and went to diminish a certain amount of water at the kitchen sink while her hands were shaking the whole time. He noticed how she tried to control her breathing and remembered the times where she seemed detached from reality. He had seen this before too. The strange dreams that his previous hosts claimed to experience taking hold on their everyday lives. It was normal. But, in this situation, an unfavorable factor. Another thing to take heed unto less Ms. Hebert would succumb to the pressure itself.

"O-Ozpin? W-will you-" She meekly asked, voice still unsure.

"I'll be here, Ms. Hebert."

"I-I… I… thank you." She quietly whispered as he then saw her return and went to the dinner room where the meeting between a stranger and the Hebert's family shall took place. He did not share the fact that the humanoid figure that was following them from the rooftops switched their position behind the neighbor's fences with remarkable grace as he managed to catch the light of the moon illuminating the figure's weapon- a crossbow being positioned but not currently aimed at Taylor's retreating back.

He then eyed the concealed gun on the representative that sat oppositely towards Danny Hebert in the wooden table they were on and answered Taylor with his sincerest assurance that felt more like an apology itself.

"Always."

I did not see this coming.

"W-water Ma'am?" I nervously handed the cup of water to the blonde women with blue eyes that was sitting right in front of dad in the dinner table. She gave me a solid glance, as if analyzing me from up to down, as she then received the water from my hands and took it wordlessly. An emotionless nod was all I received but I didn't care because I was glad that I can finally get out of her space and move to my seat that was right beside dad.

"So… can you please explain to us what you have said to me earlier?" I heard dad begun after a few short seconds. I did not miss the unsure glance that he gave me just now and the defeated look that was present since the beginning when I caught them having what looks like an argument earlier this afternoon. Sophia's representative didn't respond first and foremost. Instead, she raised the cup of water that I gave her and took a slow sip.

In the meanwhile, I tried to wrap my head on my previous encounter to the women right in front of me where I first met her at the first meeting I had. I was disappointed that the only information I have about her was the fact that she remained silent the whole time when I let Ozpin took over the meeting at school last week. Looking back at it now, it didn't grant me any comfort to know that she might be analyzing me the whole time when the meeting last week took place…

"Sophia Hess is a ward."

I blinked.

"And I want you to retract the statements you made against her." She ordered.

I tried to speak but I couldn't help but find my own mouth hanging dry. There were no words to express what I was feeling at the sheer revelation that was being thrown at me. I… I wish I could say that I had something better to stop the women's mouth from moving… or that I arose from my seat and challenged her right here and now. But I'm not that person. I'm not Ozpin. I... I couldn't do anything because I was frozen and I didn't know how to react… I didn't know what to do.

"And if we don't?" Miraculously, in the midst of my confused and baffled state, I manage to hear dad whispering in a seething tone as I witness him almost glaring at the women before me. Sophia's representative, her handler, a PRT Officer that I now realize, stared back at my own father as if she had seen worse things being aimed at her before. I didn't have an ounce of courage to lift my head and meet her in the eye. Instead, I lowered my head and wished that I was in my own room, in my own bed, and holding something very comfortable close to my chest.

Everything feels tightening now. As if the whole world is joining in a massive conspiracy towards making my life miserable and pathetic.

I… I don't like this. I wish I could do something about this. I wish I could have been someone like Ozpin. To be better. To… not be this.

"Your daughter will be charged and sent to prison. Not just any prison Mr. Hebert. But, with my documented reports, evidences, and support from the director herself once I handed this- all this to her, she won't be going to just any prison, but the birdcage itself."

W-what… what?

"So, if I were you, Mr. Hebert I would advise you to convince your own daughter to surrender herself as she is someone who is known to or affiliated enough to be considered as a Master- "

I flinched. Something flew by. Then it landed in a deafening impact somewhere across the room. I was starting to shake now and I couldn't control it. The situation is getting worse. Way worse. My dad, in a fit of uncomfortable rage, swept aside his own mug and arose from his seat. I nervously lowered my head more as I heard him march across the dinner table with his booming and loud steps in tow and grabbed the women by the front of her shirt. It… it was all too violent and so uncomfortable to watch.

"How dare you threaten my daughter with this bullshit!"

I was trying to cover my ears at the sheer intensity of the situation. It was bad. I don't like it. I don't like it all. I want to get out of this room. I want to get out of this situation. I want to go back to my bad and cry myself to sleep. I don't want this. I feel helpless. Like I'm in that horrible locker where I had no control and couldn't do anything at all with my situation. I want to get out-

"Mr. Hebert, if you do not move your arms away from my space then I promise you things would only get worse- "

Dad punched the wall right next to the cold women's unfazed state. The fact that Sophia's representative didn't even blinked at the violent turmoil of events didn't crossed my mind as I instinctively flinched again as if the punch itself was being thrusted at my own gut. I vaguely, in my deshelled state, noted that my back was now touching the far side of the wall. Away from the sheer uncomfortable violence that was taking place. Away from them. Away from this. Away from it all.

"You snake! You better take what you have fucking sprouted back to your fucking mouth before I will make things worse for you- "

"Last chance, Mr. Hebert. Now calmly back away from me and agree to my terms before I arrest your daughter with or without your consent- "

"You son of a bitch!"

I saw dad lifting his arm again and Sophia's representative going for something hidden inside her jacket. A gun? No, no, no. I can't move. I'm stuck. Everything feels so slow and my thoughts spiraling out of control. I don't what to do. I want to warn dad but my mouth was frozen, my body was still as a lamp pose in the middle of a harsh winter, and my everything is stuck on a senseless and stupid fucking loop. I don't want dad to die. I don't want to see this violence getting out of hand. I want to go away. I want to go home-

"I'm afraid that won't be necessary."

I blinked. I recognize that voice. It… it was the old man in my head since the hospital. Ozpin. I remember. I then froze. This couldn't be happening. If I'm here and I don't have the ability to control my own body then- Oh. Oh… Oh no, no, no. This isn't supposed to happen. I tried to get a sense from this damn background phase and survey the entire room again but the moment I've taken in everything and processed it all… my heart sank.

"Drop the gun, if you will."

Instead of pure relief at the intervention, I despaired with sinking realization. Like a rope that was hanging me – holding me – from the rough edges of the gnarly rocks beneath was ruthlessly torn apart by a savage beast. Every slow second that I spent watching the entire dinner room collide with the broken façade, I feel myself sinking further and further downwards into pointy rocks and a horrible locker room.

"You are right about the Master accusation, dear officer. However, if I may, I have something in mind in regards to the lovely proposal that you have, rather brashly might I add, threatened me and, especially, an innocent young girl with…"

I then paused at the fact that Ozpin started to, with the calm grace that he always had in my own body, walked passed the broken remnants of my father's mug that he had thrown earlier at the meeting, then passed the upheaved table from the short struggle that happened between dad and the PRT officer, and stopped a few feet away from where dad was staring at me- at Ozpin with pure shock in his face and right beside the women that was now holding the end of a gun's barrel at my own face. The room was drenched in absolute silence as I saw Ozpin dismissing them all and gazing with a knowing smile at the empty halls and towards the closed front door from where we all came inside.

"T-taylor… what are you doing?"

I heard dad quietly uttered. I didn't miss the look of betrayal that marred his face. He didn't shout like he had towards the cold heartless women in front of him with the infamous rage that he was known and one that I had recently experienced with. He didn't need to. But It hurt all the most.

"Ha. I was… I was right."

I heard the women that was holding a gun aimed at my head muttering in sheer relief. Her own façade as well finally cracked and faded. I didn't miss the way her eyes glinted when Ozpin took over like a prophecy that she'd searched for in her entire life have finally came true and exposed itself to the world. I wondered why would she even go after all this effort. Just from a failed meeting. Just from when-

"Ah, yes, I'm afraid that applies to you as well, Ms. Hess."

I saw a flicker of shadow fading into existence right in front of me. I focused my eyes on the figure forming itself inside my home. When it finished, it revealed a masked figure in a white hooded robe crouching cautiously towards us. I did not miss the literal crossbow being aimed at my chest. I definitely did not miss the part where the cape just released her finger on the trigger and fired the weapon with no hesitation as it then flew faster than my eyes could see. I instinctively held out my arms but despaired when I remembered that I wasn't in control.

Suddenly, faster than I could even blink, I saw my own hand moving and approaching the trajectory of what seems to be the blurred visage of a crossbow bolt- I couldn't help but watch in awe as I caught the speeding arrow with my own hands. And before I could even completely process the entire thing, I felt Ozpin, while in control of my own body, maneuvered in an impossible angle that I was sure would break a bone or two as I witness him launching the captured ammunition behind. I wasn't sure why he did so but a cry of alarm that I couldn't help but flinch at soon echoed around the room.

The PRT officer, Sophia's representative, and the cold women who threatened to put me behind bars was dead. The arrow that Ozpin caught and flung away was lodged inside the front of her skull as her blue eyes stared ahead lifelessly. And Dad… oh dad… he was so shocked at the turn of events and was looking at me like I was a monster that was hiding behind his daughter's flesh. But before I could even process everything. To it all. I felt my sight being swept away as Ozpin immediately charged the equally shocked cape in front of me.

A shadow flickered. Then it charged at me. However, Ozpin charged right through the manifested darkness without a shed of fear and, once he passed it fully to the other side, I watched as he grabbed a lone lamp stand that was besides the family pictures within the halls and crouched with hastened grace immediately. Something flew above. I quickly realized that it was a missed attack from the cape and watched as Ozpin took the opportunity to swing his furniture weapon at the parahuman's exposed state.

I winced at the solid crack that vibrated across the halls. A feminine cry of pain echoed from the white mask in front of me and I winced again both at the visceral expression of hurt and at where exactly did Ozpin struck the swift and mighty blow. Abdomen. Right Abdomen. I could not imagine how painful it must have been. But before I could absorb what's happening to my eyes in its full capacity, I watched again as Ozpin used the lower part of the broken lamp stand in the process of continuing his attack.

The cape, that I still could not believe was Sophia herself tried to block the incoming thrust towards her head with the brunt of her crossbow as I recalled, in my dizzy and shocked state, how I used to raise my own hands in an instinctive display of self-preservation back then against the onslaught of harassments made by Emma and her lot when they opted to increase their physical abuse to beyond uncomfortable. I remembered quite well how helpless I was and, as the fight begun, I could not help but note the same helplessness that I experienced back then was now on Sophia's form…

The blow didn't land. Instead, it changed direction and went straight down to Sophia's left leg. Blood spilled as the feigned attack struck its real trajectory. The cry of pain? Was worse. Way worse. It made me want to vomit and look away. But I can't. My eyes were glued to wherever Ozpin's sight is set on. Furthermore, to my dismay, Ozpin wasn't finished. I watched in morbid horror as he used my own hand to land a devastating blow to Sophia's throat. Cutting off her scream. And I listened. I listened as blow after blow struck at exposed flesh as if the mere thought of the cape's own armor was nothing more than aesthetics as Ozpin struck with so much precision and strength that it didn't matter.

I watched as Sophia Hess tried to block or dodge out of the way but to no avail as Ozpin used my entire body as a weapon of pure devastation hammered down on a poor soul. I pondered why Sophia couldn't just use her parahuman powers to shadow her way out but I realize that every blow that Ozpin struck was meant to inflict so much pain that it must have flooded her senses. He kept attacking her bruised abdomen, pushing the jabbed lamp post on her leg to critical levels, and used whatever he could find around the house as an instrument towards bludgeoning her head to a state of blunt and pure shock.

Whenever Sophia tried to retaliate or initiate a counter attack, I watched as Ozpin returned it with a harsh punishment every single time as he guided a punch away and stepped close to her guard to thrust his own solid blow at the center of her chest. I heard another pained gasp hidden behind the white mask before Ozpin reciprocated by slamming her head right next to a solid wall when she tried to back away again. The crossbow was forgotten. Swept aside by one of Ozpin's numerous attacks earlier and the fight, if it could even be called like that, soon turned into pure dismantlement of another human being.

It all happened too fast and too brutal. Is… is this what a huntsman is capable of? What could have driven them to be this way? What kind of monsters were they fighting for them to descend to such brutality and viciousness in a straight fight? Ozpin was… he was like a monster that savaged their way into the defenses of a hapless victim. Like a wolf feasting merrily on a poor sheep. It was violent. Too violent. I don't want anyone to be the end of that.

"Fu-fuck." The familiar voice broke me from my thoughts as I turned my attention to my tormentor, my harasser, to Sophia Hess as her blood painted the halls and the blunt trauma that she experienced under Ozpin's hands echoed in the far corners of my mind. She managed to get away. Miraculously. And I couldn't help but be glad that she did. She may have done things. Horrible things to me. But I don't want her blood on my hands. I… I don't want her to die. That was too much. It was all too much for me.

"Get… get the fuck away from-" My eyes, if I was in control, would have widened in synchrony with Sophia's own as I held my breathe when a sharp object that Ozpin fashioned from the remnants of the broken lamp stand struck the front door. Missing Sophia's head by an inch as she managed to throw herself away just in time. I wanted to tell them to stop. But I couldn't as I felt the entire atmosphere descended into one huge hunt. It begun when the injured cape realized that her life is now at risk and Ozpin charging her down to land a finishing blow. An execution.

I was frozen as I saw myself in Sophia. She was helpless and have caught herself in a situation that she couldn't control. She was facing an inevitability and a certain doom as I watch the chase unfolded across the broken remnants of my home. She was going to die because she couldn't do anything about it. About it all. She was facing someone beyond her. And one that will not hesitate to straight up kill her once she lowers her guard. It was painfully familiar. Like the constant nightmare where I was trapped behind a solid glass and couldn't do anything to change a semblance of something in my life and the time where I was trapped in that horrible locker room where I couldn't do anything to stop the ones responsible.

I feel cold as akin to the time where I trudged in some bygone era with the nightmares of being subsumed by Ozpin was laid bare and made true in some twisted vision of a memory. I remembered how freezing the air was and my relief at seeing a Beacon somewhere in this frozen hell-hole. I remembered the little child that I almost killed in the depths and darkness of the cave.

And I remembered so much about the times I spent in school despairing over the fact that one day I won't be here. That I will be subsumed sometime in the future… It… It felt too much like the locker room.

I don't want to experience such a thing again.

I don't want my own father experiencing it too.

I don't want anyone to experience it at all…

"M-Ms. Hebert? Taylor?" I ignored him as I forced myself back to be in control. It was hard. Physically hard if it can be applied in a spiritual and mental sense. But I tried. I tried my best and managed to achieve only a fraction of what I intended. But it was enough. Just enough to stop my own arms from participating in an act of execution as it paused in the air. Held by an invisible force. My force. As it held a broken, but sharpened, leg of a missing chair right on top of an unconscious figure that was Sophia in her broken state.

"Give her a choice." I greeted out loud in my subconscious state to Ozpin as I felt something inside of me burning. Being set ablaze against the coldness of reality. A light against the harsh darkness and a beacon that gave me hope to have the means to control and prevent something bad from happening. For the first time, in what seems to be forever, I did something that brought back a sense of control and a semblance of order within me. It felt good. I like it. I don't want it to go away. This feeling. It's like… a calling… but... for what?

"Ozpin."

"Taylor…your aura… you've- "

"Please."

"I… very well."

"Thank you."

To be continued…

Next update: Fourth week of the month of July (Not third week as usual because I will be away for family reasons)

AN:

Apologies for the late update.

This chapter was meant to be uploaded at a much earlier time...

I planned to write this chapter at my usual day but I did not predicted the fact that my time away from home would extend. Oh well, a lesson in regards to our own human fragility against the nature of unpredictability and whatnot... in other words, I should have brought my laptop with me, damnit.

Anyways, 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 pleasant evening and a wonderful tomorrow.

Furthermore, when in doubt lads, just be prepared. Don't make the same mistake as I did and see you in the next chapter.