SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 18 out, this is Chapter 19 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OC.

Chapter 19: Behind the Mask

"You little brat..." Yagos growled, cutting in on the Vaude family squabble. "On the honor of the Eight Shining Generals, I'm taking your head back with me."

"You're still alive?" Langris scoffed. "Not only that, but at this rate, my spatial magic is going to hit those civilians."

"You can't lay a finger on me, Magic Knights." Yagos chuckled, certain he had the upper hand.

"I don't have time to hesitate." Langris made his decision. "They'll just have to be noble sacrifices for the sake of our country."

"Hold it." Asta barked. "How can you even think about abandoning our citizens? We're Magic Knights."

"If this goes on, we'll just end up with even more victims." Langris argued.

"Shut up." Asta snapped. "I'm not gonna abandon anyone. Finral, Miz Charmy. Just you watch, Yuno."

"Cotton Creation Magic: Sheep Fluffy Cushion." Charmy cast her spell, after Asta took off running backwards.

Asta rammed into the newly formed sheep and used the repelling force to shoot himself straight at Yagos.

Finral acted, teleporting Asta out of Yagos' 'Mucus Nail' and opening the exit portal right above the Mucus magic user.

With the 'Demon-Dweller Sword' in his mouth, Asta shot out from the portal and sliced through the mucus and freeing the captured citizens.

"What did you do, you brat?" Yagos demanded.

Finral activated another portal, teleporting Asta away before he got hit by Yagos' mucus blast. The exit portal, however, was opened at Yagos' back, Asta headbutting the mucus user and knocking him out.

"Your fighting style's as insane as ever, Asta." Yuno teased, using a wind cushion to break Asta's fall.

With Yami and William...

"Your World Tree magic is as impressive as ever." Yami noted.

"What are you trying to say?" William inquired.

"I'm someone who believes in his gut instinct." Yami admitted. "Vangeance, could you take off that mask?"

"This isn't a face that most people would want to see." William warned.

"Are you super ugly under there or something?" Yami twitched.

"I know what this is, Yami." William admitted. "You suspect I may be the leader of the Eye of the Midnight Sun, don't you?"

"Frankly, yeah." Yami confessed. "I think it's about ten years since I first met you. We met on the battlefield, and after that, we fought together from time to time. Then, we became Captains at the same time. So, just let me see your face, all right?"

"Very well." William relented, removing his mask to reveal his heavily scarred face.

"That's one hell of a scar." Yami noted. "Did you get it on the battlefield?"

"No, I was born with it." William replied. "They call me a cursed child. Not even Lady Freyja can fix this scar and she learnt healing from Owen. It creeped out the people around me and they came to fear me. I was the illegitimate son of a certain noble. I lived in the Forsaken Realm until I was eight. Following the loss of the noble's heir, I was taken in as an aristocrat. Fortunately, I had great magical power and my World Tree magic was viewed with awe. Even there, they loathed my face. In addition, my foster mother brutally abused me. It was a hellish childhood."

"You sure had it rough, don't you?" Yami sympathized.

"But in the midst of all that, I met Master Julius." William continued. "He didn't care about my appearance. All he saw was my power."

"Sorry about that." Yami apologized, having cleared his doubts.

"No," William corrected. "I'm glad I was able to tell you and show you things as they really are."

"Captain Vangeance." a scout reported. "The Diamonds have begun to retreat."

"Understood." William responded. "There is no need to pursue those who are fleeing. Could you concentrate on helping the injured?"

With Julius...

"The Diamond forces have retreated and we've taken a number of captives." Marx reported. "Kiten was successfully defended."

"Excellent work." Julius nodded. "Please see to the repair of the damaged buildings and set up shelters immediately. Now then," he pondered after Marx excused himself. "I don't think that was a serious attempt by the Diamonds to invade our Kingdom. So, what were they after?"

"Something is going on with the Diamond Kingdom." Rhiannon spoke. "The Diamond King's aura feels too... muted to be normal."

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.