Before the Storm - I

"Ansel!"

Upon crossing the fiery portal, Seraphina caught sight of Ansel and immediately dashed towards him with exultant cries.

"Stop."

A frigid, haughty female voice compelled Seraphina to stop, as Evora, standing beside Ansel, furrowed her brow.

"You reek too much... calling you Ansel's dog, do you truly have no distinction from the wild beasts in my hunting grounds? Can't you use magic to tidy yourself?"

"You—"

Seraphina's eyes flashed with malice, her burgeoning feral spirit causing her to instinctively radiate a brutal, menacing aura, which Evora easily perceived as hostility.

"Come, Seraphina."

Just as Evora raised her hand, seemingly to chastise Seraphina, Ansel interjected, chuckling softly as he said, "Ignore her. Your scent is far more pleasant than hers."