gonna go ahead and start off round 6 since everyone's posted and i'm anxious to get this done!!! <3
As Howl took off into a dead sprint, he cackled at the fact that he was at least one task ahead of all of his competitors and that many had simply given up. But then there was some strange, vaguely mongoose- or feline-shaped thing behind him when he glanced back. For a moment, he feared that Envy had managed to catch up, but sighed a little bit in relief upon realizing it was just some other strange creature of the caves. It was no matter! He was going to win this race!
Well... he thought he would, as he turned forwards and tripped over his own hands and tumbled face-first into the dirt.
ROUND 7 BOYS!!!!
As the world spun into focus, Howl was quick to jump to his feet, experimentally shifting his tongue to make sure that his rock was still in his mouth. The tang of copper filled his senses just slightly, but it could be easily ignored in favor of the adrenaline making his entire body shake in anticipation. He fell back into the rhythm of enormous, bounding strides, heart set on success and winning this race. As he took one last step, he spat his rock out on the ground and hollered in glee. Throwing his hands up and rocking back into his haunches, he eagerly awaited the results.