With the Calamity Event being less than a day away, the citizens of Hanakawa now enter their final preparations for the ensuing battle. Most if not all residents had already left through the valley between the two mountains, beyond which lay a temporary camp. Meanwhile, those in the village sentry stayed behind, ensuring that they and their equipment were ready. 

Only two people below the age of 20 remained, those being Kaito and Kouki. Given their strength, most of the sentry agreed they were fit to participate in the battle, yet Isshiki and Harumi still remained uncertain. Isshiki was willing the allow the boys a spot on the front lines as long as they fully understood the dangers they would face, yet Harumi, with their full safety in mind, was still uncertain.

"Come on, it's not going to hurt anybody if they-"

Harumi cut him off.

"And what will you do if it hurts them? I'll admit it, they're strong. Maybe stronger than some of our more experienced fighters, in fact. But they're still just kids. You don't know for sure what will happen. Nobody's seen the Event with their own eyes"

"They're strong, and that's why we should let them join. They've gotten plenty of experience in the past few years and Kaito practically knows about every corrupted beast that's been encountered in history"

"But still, they're too young to be involved in a threat this severe-"

This time, Isshiki cut Harumi off.

"Kouki's already an adult and Kaito's less than a year away. Why should we judge them based on age when they've already proven their skill? Listen, they might be still just kids to us. I know its hard as parents, but looking into Hanakawa's future, we don't know what we'll face later and when we'll need an even stronger sentry"

Harumi now paused, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, she spoke again.

"Fine, I guess you're right. But, I'm still worried..."

"How about this, then? We'll place them farthest to the North by the valley. They can still be involved but they'll be in the safest spot to flee if everything falls apart"

Harumi smiled.

"I like that idea"

***

[Hanakawa, Northern Gate]

...

"Alright boys, you got that? This is the plan we've agreed upon, so no complaints"

Kaito and Kouki calmly nodded in agreement. On the inside, they were barely able to contain their excitement.

One hour left until the Calamity Event.

***

[Day of the Calamity Event, Midnight]

The instant midnight arrived, blood red crackles of energy began bolting around over the lake. After a few seconds, the energy concentrated into a dense orb that ruptured into a massive spell circle, lined with intricate runes unrecognizable by anybody below. The light emitted from the spell circle illuminated the night sky with a foreboding, red tint.

From the Northern gate, Kaito and Kouki watched in amazement, their eyes captivated by the sight.

"Just like the archives described"

"Yeah"

In a blinding flash, beams of corrupted energy lashed forth from the runes, forming a body of pure corrupted energy. Yet, once the light subsided, all that could be seen was a small, core-like orb of corruption.

The 'Calamity' had been unleashed.

A trail of blood dripped from Kaito's chest.

"...What..?"