obk_Writter

Synopsis
In a world where forgotten names are whispered among the trees, a grieving brother named Elias ventures into the mysterious Forest of Forgotten Names to find his sister, Lila, who vanished without a trace five years ago. The forest is no ordinary place—its trees are alive, their leaves rustling with the stolen memories of those who have disappeared. Elias soon discovers that the forest feeds on the names of the lost, erasing their identities from the world. But when he finally finds Lila, she doesn’t recognize him—or even her own name.

The Forest of Forgotten Names

Elias stood frozen in the clearing.

The tree with the face had spoken. Its voice was low, like the rustle of leaves in the wind.

He didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to do.

The Guardian's Voice

The tree's face shifted, its bark creaking like old bones. "You've come for her," it said. Elias's heart skipped a beat. "Lila? Is she here?" The tree didn't answer. Instead, it pointed a gnarled branch deeper into the forest.

The Journey Deeper

Elias followed the direction, his steps quickening. The forest grew darker, the trees closer together. He heard whispers again, but this time they were clearer. *Elias… Elias…* He recognized the voice. It was Lila's.

Elias pushed through a thicket and stumbled into a small glade. The air was warm, the ground soft with moss. In the center stood a figure, her back to him. She wore a dress made of leaves, her hair long and tangled. Elias's breath caught. "Lila?"

The figure turned. It was Lila, but not the Lila he remembered. Her eyes were blank, her expression empty. "Do I know you?" she asked. Elias felt like he'd been punched in the chest. "It's me. Elias. Your brother." Lila tilted her head, confused. "I don't have a brother."

Elias stepped closer, his hands shaking. "Lila, it's me. Don't you remember?" She shook her head. "I don't remember anything. Not my name. Not where I came from. Nothing." Elias felt tears sting his eyes. "But… how?" Lila looked past him, her gaze distant. "The forest took it. The forest takes everything."

Elias reached into his pocket and pulled out the carved bird. Lila's eyes flickered. She reached for it, then pulled her hand back. "I've seen that before," she whispered. "You gave it to me," Elias said. "Don't you remember?" Lila shook her head again, but her eyes stayed on the bird.

Elias felt a surge of hope. If the bird triggered something in her, maybe there was a way to bring her memories back. But before he could say more, the ground beneath them trembled. The trees around the glade began to close in, their branches reaching like claws. Lila grabbed his arm. "You need to leave. Now."

Elias hesitated. He couldn't leave her again. Not after all this time. But Lila pushed him toward the edge of the glade. "Go! Before it's too late!" The last thing Elias saw was her face, filled with fear, as the trees swallowed her once more.

Chapter 3: Lila’s Discovery