"You bastard!" The staff wielder roared.
He swung his weapon in a wide horizontal arc aimed at Lucas's head.
Lucas ducked under the swing and drove his shoulder into the lanky youth's midsection like a battering ram.
They both crashed to the ground, but Lucas was ready for it. He rolled with the impact, came up on top, and immediately rained down punches.
Left hook to the ribs. Right cross to the jaw. Another left to the temple.
The staff wielder tried to buck Lucas off, tried to bring his weapon up to defend, but Lucas was relentless.
He grabbed the staff with one hand, yanked it aside, and delivered a devastating hammer fist to the crony's nose.
Blood sprayed. It was not enough to trigger the barrier, but enough to make the point. Lucas drew back his fist for another strike when he felt the air shift behind him.
Pure instinct saved him.
