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 stepped through the door, the light blinding him for a moment.

When his vision cleared, he found himself in a vast, open space.

The ground was covered in soft moss, and the air was filled with the sound of whispers.

In the center of the space stood Lila, her back to him.

Elias called out to her. "Lila!" She turned, her eyes blank. "Do I know you?" Elias felt a pang of sadness. "It's me, Elias. Your brother." Lila shook her head. "I don't have a brother."

Elias stepped closer. "You gave up your name to save me. Don't you remember?" Lila's expression didn't change. "I don't remember anything." Elias reached into his pocket and pulled out the carved bird. "What about this? Do you remember this?" Lila's eyes flickered. She reached for the bird, then pulled her hand back. "I… I think I've seen it before."

A voice echoed through the space. "Elias, you must choose." Elias turned to see the tree with the face. "Choose what?" The tree's voice was gentle. "To reclaim her name, you must give up something of equal value." Elias frowned. "What do you mean?" The tree's branches swayed. "Your memories. Your name. Your life. The forest demands a price."

Elias felt a surge of determination. "I'll do it. I'll give up anything to save her." The tree's face shifted, its expression almost sad. "Are you sure? Once you give it up, you can never get it back." Elias nodded. "I'm sure." The tree's voice grew louder. "Then you must make the choice. Reclaim her name, or leave her in the forest."

Elias looked at Lila, her face still blank. He thought about all the memories they had shared, all the moments they had lost. He thought about the curse, the forest, the sacrifices that had been made. He knew what he had to do.

Elias stepped forward, the carved bird in his hand. He placed it in Lila's palm, closing her fingers around it. "I choose you," he said. "I choose to save you." Lila's eyes flickered again, and for a moment, Elias thought he saw a spark of recognition.

The ground beneath them began to shake. The tree's voice echoed through the space. "The choice is made. The price must be paid." Elias felt a surge of energy, and then everything went black.

The chapter ends with Elias waking up in the forest, the carved bird still in his hand. Lila is gone, but he feels a strange sense of peace. He knows he made the right choice, but he also knows the journey isn't over. The forest whispers around him, urging him to keep going.

Chapter 19: The Forest’s End