Kai and Lifen heard screams and shouts before they reached the village. Thick black smoke bellowed up from its direction. Alarmed, they ran back the rest of the way.

Chaos greeted them.

Men, women and children were running everywhere. Some were carrying wooden buckets filled with water to put out the multiple fires. Others were running towards the main disturbance with butcher knives, stout staffs and a variety of make shift weapons. They were going to help the hunters who were already fighting with their hunting bows and spears.

People were also heading away from the chaos. They were mostly injured with bleeding wounds. Many were limping and holding onto various parts of their bodies. Several were so badly wounded that they were practically held up and dragged to safety by their friends.

Meanwhile terrified mothers were herding their small children off the dirt streets into huddled groups. They did not know where to go. Their houses were not safe. More than a few were already alight and burning merrily.

"Go! Go to the open fields. Take the children away from the danger and smoke," yelled Master Chu, the village Head. He ushered the frightened women pointing beyond the path. "You will be safer there."

Next, he turned his attention to several older children and told them to help the women.

Kai caught a passing man's arm. He was carrying a rusty pitchfork.

"What happened? What's going on?"

"Demons! Demons are attacking us!" he yelled and ran off.

"Demons?" echoed Kai bewildered. Where did they come from?

"Kai! You're back!" cried Master Chu spotting him. "You're a demon hunter. Help us!"

Kai nodded decisively and followed the Head villager. If demons were involved, it was his responsibility to save the people. He would get to the bottom of this mess later.

"Where?"

"In the middle of town. There are three of them! Our hunters' arrows are useless against them."

"Three? How did so many come here suddenly?" asked Kai. Demons were territorial creatures who generally stayed in their chosen areas. Only the lesser demons who were basically harmless gathered in groups to survive.

"Well ..." the Head faltered.

Kai paused to glance in surprise at Master Chu's apologetic tone. "What?"

"I'm sorry Kai. It's my fault," Master Chu averted his gaze. "Yifan ... he accidentally unstopped your demon gourds. He let the demons out."

"My demon gourds?! Yifan, your youngest son? He let the out?" asked Kai thinking of the unruly boy. The ten year old was big for his size and bullied the other children knowing he could get away with most things. His father was after all the Village Head.

The boy was usually kept under control by his brothers and mother but it seemed he had managed to slip away from their watchful eyes.

"What? Why would he touch my things? Everyone has been warned many times not to. It's dangerous!"

"He went into your room looking for sweets. He said you promised him some after lunch and couldn't wait," said Master Chu. "I'm so sorry Kai but I think he went through your travel packs and opened everything."

"What was he thinking? He knows not to invade others privacy and touch my stuff!" cried Kai angrily. "Even if it's after lunchtime, he should have waited!"

"Is Yifan unharmed?" asked Lifen softly. She had kept quiet the entire exchange that Kai had forgotten she was there.

"Yes, he ran away. We'll find him later," replied Master Chu gratefully. Even in the chaos, the girl was concerned about his naughty son's safety.

"Right now, we have to save everyone. So far, there have been no deaths but these demons do not care for humans," said Master Chu grimly. His manner conveyed his fear that the situation may worsen. "We have to catch them, put out the fires and calm the villagers down. We'll save what we can. You can help us right Kai? You can catch them!"

"Master Chu," Kai answered in a controlled voice, "I usually catch the demons one by one after careful preparations. This situation ... to catch all three at the same time and without proper planning..." he sighed at the impossible circumstances. The demons he had captured were troublesome, violent and malicious.

"I'll do my best," he said trying to lessen the fear on Master Chu's face.

The trio soon arrived in the middle of town. There were small fires everywhere, everything was smashed as Kai expected. He wouldn't be surprised if the villagers had their jewellery and other shiny objects stolen too. Kai searched and spotted the three busy demons.

The Firebug demon was perched above ground gleefully flicking hot sparks at yet another thatched roof. The black Crow demon was flitting from store to store. Each time it reappeared, it had more shiny objects in its grasp. Its pockets were bulging stolen valuables. A loud crash sounded and the front of the fruit stall collapsed. The Bull demon appeared with a huge grin on his furry face. He was enjoying running against buildings and breaking things indiscriminately to show off his brute strength. It was not his fault the human structures were so flimsy.

Kai went into combat stance. This was going to be tough. He could handle one, maybe two but three at the same time?

"Stand back. Leave the demons to me," he told Master Chu as confidently as he could. "Save the villagers. We'll salvage what we can after the demons are caught."

"O'kay," replied Master Chu relieved. Thank God Kai would take care of the demons, he could concentrate on his people. "Will you be o'kay alone?"

"I'll help him," said a soft dulcet voice.

"You?" asked Master Chu in disbelief. What could a lovely petite girl do to help subdue let alone catch strong demons?

Kai gave a curt nod. Lifen was a Nightshade flower demon. Now that he knew what she really was, he was also aware of her formidable powers. She would be of much help since the other demons were of animal origin. It might just work.

He muttered some words relaxing the restrains he had placed on her. Now she would be able to use her demonic powers.

"Go! Go tend to the others. We'll take care of it here."

Master Chu nodded and left. The demon hunter should know what he was doing. Anyways he got his own hands full. He'd come help later when everyone was safe.

"You have not killed. Should you start now?"

Lifen glanced at Kai. "My demonic aura indicates I have not killed humans. It is not affected when I kill my own kind."

Kai choked. "So, you have killed ....?"

"We'll try not to hurt them too much," she replied winking at him. "I'll go get your empty gourds quickly and come back. You might need them."

The demon left him gaping after her. She should go and return quickly. The human will need his gourds to store the troublesome demons.