Lassim's inner heart world swirled with the dynamic energies of his breakthrough. The crystal, having absorbed the majority of his mana pool and now soul, began to stabilize, glowing with a powerful, radiant light.
As Lassim's physical transformation solidified, his consciousness drifted back to his companions, Mari and Zaphy, who were undergoing their own metamorphoses within the heart world.
Mari, the royal koi, was the first to transform. Her mana cocoon shimmered and pulsated with a golden light, encapsulating her in a protective rune covered shell. As the cocoon cracked open, a resplendent new form emerged.
Mari's body had grown substantially, nearly doubling in size to an impressive two meters. Her scales, once mostly a brilliant blue with the signs of a few golden runes, now glistened with intricate patterns of gold, increasing her regal appearance. Large sections of scales across her koi body were now solid gold.
