Even as the ground was shaking Tachibana had not stopped charging. He kept going getting faster and faster. the ground started to cave in on itself revealing the next obstacle: crater. Tachibana still channeling cat aura skillfully jumped over each gap as it started to form underneath him His senses helped him tell where the next one would form. Taka-san didn't have this luxury and he fell almost immediately. Momo turned to watch his comrade fall and realized too late his mistake. Tachibana's fist collided with his face and the force caused Momo to fall into a different crater. Momo was separated from Taka-san and the others were nowhere to be seen. This was the worst-case scenario. He should not have let his guard down. He was also weak from the earlier hit. still not fully recovered from the force of the elephant aura. If he was hit by that again it was over. Taka-san would not be able to handle Tachibana by himself, his ability was not well suited for close combat in which Tachibana was skilled. He also didn't know how well Echizen and Fuji were doing and he doubted they could handle Tachibana as well as the other two they were facing. He didn't have a choice, there was no way he could go down right now. No, he had to defeat his opponent for the sake of this win.

Taking a deep breath he focused on strengthening his core and controlling his breathing. He twisted his body and positioned himself to land. He looked up and saw Tachibana had jumped down to follow him. Good, he was worried he would go after Taka-san first. It's time for him to show the fruit of his training. The moment his feet landed on the ground he put all his weight and force of the fall into springing off the ground. Tachibana's eyes widened not expecting Momo to use his fall to counter. Momo grabbed Tachibana by his clothes and threw him against the wall of the crater. He then landed on the opposite wall and sprung himself forward again. landing on Tachibana feet first and putting all his weight into the land. Tachibana coughed up blood from the force. He couldn't stop his Momentum now. So he backflipped off and landed on the ground. Tachibana fell and struggled to get up on his feet. Momo didn't give him a break he ran up and roundhouse kicked Tachibana in the ribs throwing him once again up to the wall.

Tachibana in his surprise was not able to put up any form of defense so he took those hits at full force. He fell to his knees and coughed. His ribs were badly bruised maybe even broken. He couldn't tell from the adrenalin, but he knew with these injuries he wouldn't be able to do much more. Isida was out for the count and he knew nothing of the situation with the others. He looked over to Momo and saw Taka-san land next to him. His plan of knicking Momo out before they could get back together did not work. He laughed.

"I hate to admit it but I can't do much more. Those moves of yours were no joke" Tachibana stood up and got into a fighting stance. "I knew this would be tough, A Pureblood werewolf like yourself has more strength than a half-breed vampire. I was hoping my magic would be enough to beat you. However, Kawamura Takashi's magic is very strong. I don't know faires very well but I did not expect an elemental to be so versatile with its magic. The flame whip caught me off guard."

Momo stood in a defensive stance. Even tho it seemed Tachibana was in a talkative mood he didn't want to be caught off guard. "Thanks for the compliment. My teammates are always full of surprises."

Taka-san summoned flames in his hands, ready for anything at a moment's notice. "Th-Thank you."

"I knew from the other battles you were holding back. I'm almost at my limit but I could tell you are too. For pride's sake. Let's see who is stronger. One final attack for us both, put everything you got!" Tachibana started charging up his strength. "Rhinoceros Aura"

Mom smirked "This is what I'm talking about! you're on!" he controlled his breathing even more and focused all his energy on his fist.

Without a word, the two charged at each other with full force. Their fists collided and the force from them both caused Taka-san to take a step back and brace himself. Dust from the arena picked up and blocked their vision. Taka-san couldn't tell who won the fight.

...

Echizen was mostly standing in the back while both Kamio and Ibu were struggling against Fuji. They had planned to let Fuji do most of the work because his countermagic was well suited for pretty much anything. While Fuji blocked attacks Echizen would find openings and try to hit them with Acid rain. It was decided that worst case Echizen would use another type of magic, probably within the water types so it seems like that was his primary magic. They both agreed since it was well known for Vampires to have multiple magic spells, then it would not be as surprising as if Fuji used the 'Trails'.

They wanted to save that for when they faced off against the prince's team. Echizen didn't think the Monkey King's team would be worth it. Although if what he believed was true then they might have to. He doubts Monkey king would use his secret ability right away, most likely in desperate situations or out of reflex. He still did not know if the werewolf was even aware he had one. If not then there was a chance he wouldn't use it willingly or have control and that could be a different problem. Out of control magic could be dangerous depending on the base power levels of the spells and the type of magic.

"Ryoma!" Fuji called out as he put up a dome-type shield around them and walked over to Echizen. " I think you might have to use another spell. Kamio keeps re-directing your spells with his Wind. At this rate, no one will get anywhere because both sides are evenly matched with countering."

Ryoma smirked. "I don't think it evenly matched."

Fuji smiled and shrugged. "Your the one who suggested I only use countermagic for defense so it looks like I'm only good for defense"

"The more Surprises we can pull up in the finals the better." Ryoma looked around and noticed Ibu and Kamio bracing themselves as the Obstacle Pillars started to form. Luckily for them, The ground beneath Fuji and Ryoma became a pillar and they were rising above the others. Once the ground stopped shaking Ryoma looked down. "But fine, I'll use it."

After confirming Kamio and Ibu were on level ground managing to avoid the pillars, Ryoma got down on one knee and placed his hands on the ground. He concentrated on the level of magic output and muttered "River flow" A light stream of water traveled from his hands down the pillar toward their opponents.

Kamio threw his hand back and then threw his arm forward in a throwing motion "Sonic wind slice"

A thin slice of wind crashed into the pillar Echizen and Momo were on. Kamio kept using the same technique aimed where the first one hit.

"I think he is trying to cut the pillar down," Fuji stated.

"It okay the water has almost reached them."

The water flowing from Echizen's hands has been rapidly moving towards the pair below. as soon as there was a puddle beneath their feat Echizen smirked. "River blades."

The puddle shot up in several sharp spikes. Ibu grabbed Kamio and jumped up out of the way. However, the river kept following their every move. Kamio and Ibu had no choice but continuously dodge.

The ground started shaking again and the pillars sank back into the ground. Ibu noticing an opening darted towards Echizen. Kamio backed him up with his wind to make him run faster. Dodging every spike being thrown at him he managed to get Behind Fuji.

"Shit"

Ibu reached out, Fuji tried to dodge but Ibu managed to lightly graze his arm. Fuji jumped back next to Echizen.

Ibu smiled " Paralyze."

Fuji could no longer feel his right arm. He immediately put a dome shield around them using his left to cast the spell.

"His magic paralyzed my arm. If he manages to get my left Ill have no choice but to abandon my countermagic."

"What a bother," Echizen said. "Fine, I'll end this. The Moment I touch the ground place a shield dome around Ibu."

"You sure, I thought you did not want me to use that as part of an attack?"

Echizen signed. "At this point in the competition, I am sure the teams we are most concerned about already realized the different ways in which your spells can be used. It obvious countermagic is very versatile. Showing it now would not be that much of a reveal"

Fuji nodded. Echizen looked over at Ibu. He was muttering something about being a coward who hides behind others, but he just tuned him out. That guy wasn't someone Echizen cared to pay attention to. He kneeled and concentrated.

"Dome" Fuji called out. Echizen smirked, it's over.

"River flood."

The dome filled up with Water quickly. Ibu couldn't react or do anything to escape. The dome prevents anything from getting in or out. Ibu struggled to breathe. When his body went limp both Echizen and Fuji released their magic. The boy crashed to the floor unconscious. Kamio Rushed over, looked at his teammate, and knelt to feel a pulse. Kamio became enraged and started throwing wind slices towards Fuji. Echizen darted behind him and touched the ground again.

"River wall." Water shot up and circled Kamio but before he could react Echizen released the spell, causing water to fall inwards onto Kamio. Without missing a second Echizen uttered another spell. "Frozen River"

The water turned to ice trapping Kamio into a frozen cage.

...

Yukimura couldn't help himself. He was overly Excited. The vampire boy was even more interesting than he thought. Multiple magic. He knew it was possible due to there being a Vampire on his team that could also accomplish such a feat. However, Yukimura still didn't believe Water was his main Magic. He could see how others could be completely fooled. Echizen used water spells like it was second nature. The speed at which he casts his spells and the Control is incredible. It made him want to feed off his life force even more.

The boy was addicting. He had to meet him again, feel him again. This time alone. Maybe he could get information to slip. The boy had to be from a powerful family. Maybe one of the Vampire Nobles sons. Any information would be beneficial to his Race. He was to be King soon, if he could gain influence with a noble from the Vampire territory then he could work something out with the other race. Prevent his kind from being looked down on. Possibly even surpass the Werewolves. Worst case he would use his magic to force the boy into submission.

Yukimura took a deep breath. He had to calm down. First, he needed to gather more information about the vampire powers. He couldn't try to force the boy under his control without enough knowledge. Vampires were not to be underestimated. Otherwise, it could be him who falls into Submission

Even so, Yukimura didn't feel like that would be such a bad thing.

...

Atobe was enraged. How dare that Vampire brat. First, he makes fun of him by acting like a human making him embarrass himself. Then he has the balls to reject a match. Watching the competition he realize the Brat wasn't even all that. His magic was weak and seemed to revolve around Water. Even if the boy was a pureblood Atobe was sure he would be no match for the soon-to-be alpha.

However, something was bothering him. He could feel something from within him calling out whenever the boy was around. Even more so whenever the boy used magic. He thought maybe it was just the anger and need to defeat the overconfident Vampire but when Echizen used frozen river he knew it was something different.

His energy rose and it startled him so much his teammates had to make sure he was okay. It was then that he realized it wasn't the anger but the curse.

But what did the brat have to do with what happened to him in the past?