Awakening

Time passed inside the magical barrier, with the two people lying in each other's arms, wrapped in two immense flames. The flames looked similar: one a shade of red, the other azure blue, which was Asuka's and a little duller than Leonhardt's.

Their bodies shifted in their sleep before Leonhardt's eyes snapped open, and he sat up abruptly. He looked around frantically, trying to get his bearings. His body felt different, stronger, and more powerful than ever before.

His long black hair seemed to have grown, now fluttering at his back, while his red eyes became sharper and more vivid.

The most distinctive change was the single line of red scales across his abdomen, which looked like a tattoo. Although his appearance had changed, his entire being felt different.

He turned his head and saw Asuka sleeping beside him, her body still wrapped in flames.