When his opponent seemingly disappeared the troll only took a moment to take stock. The advantages of his weapon were clear, then, for he spun full-body in the direction he though his foe had sped off in, while spinning his staff around in a vicious circle, maintaining a quick defensive revolution around his body with the movement. 

It was this that allowed him to club back the Vertex launched towards his unprotected back, though at some cost, as the force of the blow launched him sideward and almost wrenched his staff from his hands. He bounced with the attack, turning on one foot as he hit the ground and spinning his staff into a defensive posture, to immediately charge at his foe provided he had not fled after landing his attack. 

However, this was a feint, and the troll instead ducked right and sped off towards his first tree, and his protective ward, disappearing quickly behind branches and bush. He used his keen ears to tell if the human followed, and should he not the Troll would have no choice but to return and attack.