The Iron Pillars

Chapter 7

Baird rolled his shoulders and took a step back. Using the glow of his sparking blade for light, he stared down at the pile of bloody bodies before him. It had been a mighty struggle, but he had prevailed. 

His head snapped over when another light erupted in his peripheral vision. Kookaburra laid a lighter down next to the candle he had just lit. In the orange glow of the dancing flame, his wide grin lingered on Baird and sent chills down his spine. He pointed the tip of his blade down at the god's feet and grimaced. The dog also grinned at him, a devilishness in his eyes that no animal should have ever possessed. 

Kookaburra made a smooching sound with his lips, followed by an obligatory cackle. "Shall we dance?" he asked, breaking a hefty metal leg off the wooden table. 

Baird planted his feet, clenched his jaw, and flourished his sword. "I consent." 

Kookaburra hurled his body forward with a shrill laugh. Startled by the sudden noise, Baird almost missed his opportunity to block the bruising blow. His sword met the blunt edge of the table leg, and with gritted teeth, he held the god at bay. He watched as sparks from his blade leapt onto the metal leg, only to stop at his grinning opponent's bright yellow gloves. 

Baird shoved the table leg aside and swung at Kookaburra's shoulder. He flopped to the ground in laughter and narrowly avoided the blow. The dog skittered up to Baird's ankle and bit down, causing him to grunt. He kicked the animal aside. Instead of growling, the canine giggled, and even though he made the noise with a closed muzzle, the sound echoed through the room. 

Kookaburra swung the metal leg at a disoriented Baird. He cried out as it thudded against his anklebone. He bit his teeth and tried to ignore the pain, but then frowned as the desire to laugh washed over him anew. 

Baird leapt to avoid another swing. Then he stomped down onto Kookaburra's wrist. He heard a crunch, but frowned when instead of crying out in pain, his face twisted into pleasure. Another wave of laughter erupted from his mouth. 

While licking his lips, Kookaburra leapt to his feet. He attacked Baird again and again, the blunt force proving difficult to block. Finally, with one swing, he knocked the sword from his hand. The blade clattered to the floor far out of reach. 

Baird dodged another swing and kicked Kookaburra in the ribs. He squealed with delight. His eyes rolled around in their sockets, and Baird took the opportunity to attack his unguarded groin. But somehow, the laughing man perceived the attack without looking and blocked. When the hard metal hit his knuckles, Baird grunted. 

The martial artist dashed forward and threw the god into an armlock. He kicked the dog away when he came close, and then he focused his attention on the matter at hand. He wrested the metal table leg from Kookaburra's hands. Then he hurled it at the returning dog. For the first time, the animal whimpered, but then with a cough, he chortled again. 

With the laughing god disarmed, Baird flipped him over onto his back. He landed atop a table. Baird pulled a chair out, leapt up onto it, and then hopped from there onto Kookaburra's belly. His feet touched down, and the momentum broke the table. They both tumbled to the floor. 

Blood crept out onto Kookaburra's lips. He grinned up at Baird and laid still as he pummeled him with blows. The god bared his teeth to display a gleeful smile, while the martial artist showed his in a determined grimace. He tossed the god's head from side to side as he bombarded him with punches. His body seemed to take damage, yet his resolve to remaining joyful never cracked. 

Baird snatched a nearby steak knife and drove it into Kookaburra's belly. He snickered. Baird twisted the blade inside the wound with a clenched jaw. The god's eyes widened as he let out an even heartier laugh.