Daniel was sitting on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped together. His gaze wandered casually around the room, but his mind drifted over fragments of memory and history he had gathered during his adventures. Thanks to certain ancient archives and the whispers of the goddess Lisandra within him, he already had a glimpse of what had happened a thousand years ago, even before Élise began her tale.
"You already know a part… but believe me, you haven't seen everything," Lisandra murmured playfully in his mind.
Daniel gave a slight smile, aware she was right. This prior knowledge didn't lessen the intensity of what he was about to hear, but it gave him a framework to better understand. At that very moment, a soft sound came from the door. Élise, a little flustered, stood there, her hand on the handle. She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then knocked gently.
"Daniel… do you have a moment?" she asked, her voice slightly trembling but firm.
Daniel looked up, surprised but relieved. "Yes, come in," he replied. He straightened a bit, adjusting his posture on the edge of the bed. Lisandra let out an amused sigh.
"And here we go, the hero ready to welcome the distressed elf…" the goddess whispered.
Élise entered, her eyes searching Daniel's. He noticed the slight nervousness in her movements, but also the determination shining in her gaze. He immediately understood this was no casual visit.
"There's something…" she began, her voice dropping as if not to awaken forgotten secrets. "I need to tell you what happened a thousand years ago…"
Daniel nodded, a small grin on his lips. He already knew part of the story, but he was curious to hear how Élise would complete and detail these events. "I'm listening," he said calmly, even though his heart raced slightly. Lisandra, inside him, couldn't help reacting: "Ah, here comes the historical moment… brace yourself, human, it's going to make your head spin."
Élise sat on a chair not far from the bed, her hands tightening slightly. "At the time," she began, "there was a fragile balance among the species… humans, elves, beastmen, and other creatures. Certain forces were betrayed… and conflicts erupted. The streets we walk today were then the stage of endless struggles."
Daniel nodded repeatedly, mentally acknowledging each detail, adjusting the puzzle pieces he already had in mind. He thought to himself, Yes, that's exactly what I understood… but I can't wait to hear your full version. Lisandra chuckled: "A little self-satisfaction already… not a bad thing for once."
Élise continued, her voice lower but with an intense rhythm. "Humans occupied the bases, modest but strategic. The beastmen lived in the higher districts, far above the others. No one mingled in the common streets, because the memories of that time were too painful… no one wanted to relive the mistakes of the past."
Daniel listened attentively, appreciating the nuances of her account and the perfect match with what he already knew. He felt the weight of history pressing down, yet his analytical mind rejoiced at the coherence between his knowledge and Élise's testimony. Lisandra, sarcastic in his mind: "Great… the hero validating everything perfectly… you're almost credible."
Daniel turned slightly to Élise. "And… you?" he asked. "What were you doing at that time?"
Élise looked away, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. "I… wasn't born yet," she answered softly, but her gaze betrayed the depth of elven memory. "But our ancestors were involved in these events. Certain decisions shaped the hierarchy and balance we know today."
Daniel silently approved every word. He knew these historical details were essential to understanding the subtleties of their current world. Lisandra murmured, teasing: "There's a hint of seriousness in you… but you're still my favorite degenerate."
Silence settled in the room. Daniel felt the gravity of the revelations, but also the closeness of Élise, and the ironic, teasing presence of Lisandra, creating a unique balance.
"So… the streets we see, the humans, the beastmen, all these districts… it's all the result of these events?" Daniel asked, confirming his own historical insights.
Élise nodded. "Exactly. And that's why you'll never see certain creatures in the common streets. They live in protected or elite areas. These are secrets we must preserve so that history doesn't repeat itself."
Daniel furrowed his brows slightly. "Hmm… I see. But it feels a little strange… I expected to see beastmen everywhere, like in the adventure stories."
Lisandra laughed inside his mind. "Ah, human… always disappointed by the lack of free spectacle. You're adorable."
Élise smiled faintly, amused despite herself. "You'll learn to understand the balance of things… and to respect what cannot be revealed."
The rest of the afternoon passed in a mix of historical accounts, strategic explanations, and Lisandra's small humorous jabs. Daniel, listening intently, mentally noted every detail and nuance, aware that this knowledge would guide his future decisions. Lisandra punctuated comments, sometimes mocking, sometimes serious, adding a nearly comical dimension to the gravity of the revelations.
As the sun began to set, casting soft shadows across the room, Élise stood and approached Daniel, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Do you understand the importance of what I've told you?" she asked, her gaze piercing.
Daniel nodded slowly. "Yes… and I promise not to underestimate this information. Thank you for trusting me, Élise."
Lisandra, inside, snickered: "There's a hint of seriousness in your words… but you're still a little degenerate."
Daniel blushed slightly but said nothing. He knew Lisandra was right, yet he also felt that this strange and humorous dynamic had become an essential part of his mind and strength.
The chapter closed on this unique blend: the gravity of history revealed by Élise, the ironic and teasing presence of Lisandra, and Daniel's silent determination, now enriched by the prior knowledge he held, while maintaining the touch of humor that defined his unique personality.