“Over my dead body!” Vergil shouted, lunging forward and attempting to strike Armstrong’s neck. However, to Vergil and Garou’s astonishment, the strike was blocked. Armstrong hadn’t moved, but rather, a black wall had seemingly materialized in front of his neck to defend him.

Armstrong pulled back his fist, delivering a powerful haymaker straight into Vergil’s face and sending him flying back onto the pedestal. Vergil slowly rose to his feet, breathing heavily before attempting another attack, this time a stab at Armstrong's chest. Again, the attack was blocked, a small barrier forming with just enough barrier to prevent Armstrong from being stabbed.

“Dad? What are you doing? What happened to you?” The boy shouted in confusion.

“Nanomachines, son.” Armstrong answered as he grabbed Vergil’s head and slammed it into the ground. “Courtesy of my devil fruit.”

Vergil groaned in pain, but seemed unable to retaliate. “You know Vergil, I was expecting more from a son of Sparda. You tired or something?”

Garou glanced up at the pedestal, where Metal Bat was still lying motionless. Perhaps he’d done a better job at holding off Vergil than Garou had thought.

- Ultim8_Lifeform Round 3