Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Science Fiction

20 years pass, and the two brothers grew into men. The pair still held a deep curiosity for what happened in those woods. Those twisted dark trees, that took things out of existence, made them disappear. Technology had advanced greatly since their childhood and the incident in the woods, allowing them to start working on these suits that would allow them to not be consumed by the forest. So, finally after all this time the brothers return to their childhood home. They go into the back yard and stood where they had 20 years ago to the day. A nearby squirrel ran along the fence, and jumped into the darkened trees. The brothers cringed when it never touched the ground on the other side. 

"The energy has gotten stronger... Do you think the suits will hold up?" James inquired. 
"Only one way to know is to go in." John replied. 
With that said, they suited up, and got ready to what lies ahead. With hearts racing and bodies braced, they went over the fence. When their feet hit the ground, they looked at each other, breathing a sigh of relief. Then they began their walk into the ominous looming trees, not knowing what waited ahead. They walked for hours in silence, finding nothing. They didn't really know what they were expecting to find. In the distance, seeming to surround them was a chant. Whispered by voices, chilling and raspy:
"Welcome to the forest of the forgotten, where dreams come to die. Welcome to the forest of the forgotten dreams, where dreams never are thought of or remembered again. Welcome to the forest of the forgotten dreams."

As they walked deeper, the chant grew louder and louder. Then our hero's found a huge stone wall, old and growing with moss and tangled with roots. Directly ahead, was an old rusted gate, metal words were carved into the sign reading, "Welcome to the forest of the forgotten dreams, where dreams come to die." The moment they finished reading, the forest consumed them and they vanished into thin air. After coming out of their confusion they saw that they were on the other side of the wall. James and John took in the sight, all around them, was stuff. Lost toys, like kick balls, or baseball mitts, old cars with peeling chipping paint, socks and even animals and people were there. In shock James spoke to one of the people before them, "What is all this?" 
A man responds, "When someone has a dream and forgets it, they end up here." His voice was dull and monotone as he continues to speak, "Once they end up here, they never return to a persons dreams." 
"Why does everything that comes in here vanish?" John questions.

"Our king at one point in time was dream of a child. He was forgotten and for some reason he was sent here and made this place. He was angry so he cursed these woods so that now anything that enters is forgotten and trapped here forever with us. Everyone you ever knew will forget about you. It will be like you never existed."

"Is there any way for someone to leave?" James asked.

"Defeat the king."

"Who is the king?"

"It's not a who, but a what."

"Then what?"

"A massive fire breathing dragon, with a heart like ice and eyes that blaze." 

"Oh..." The brothers said in unison.

"Do you still wish to challenge him?"

"It's the only way. We'll do it." John insists.

"Then take two swords, and pray for your lives. I wish you luck." The monotoned man pointed to a pile of things, where two swords lay. He then numbly wandered into the distance. After gathering their swords and courage they trekked to the dragon's cave. When the brothers finally reached the cave, the dragon gave an earth shattering roar. 

"Who dares face the king of the forgotten?!" roared the dragon.

"We've come to slay you! Come face us like a man!" James yells.

With a sickening laugh the massive black beast rose from the cave, it's eyes locked upon the brothers like a cat hunting prey. With a flick of his tongue and a snarl of a grin he spoke, "Its your funeral, or should I say barbeque."

The battle began, with the clash of blades on diamond hard scales. With a rear of his heat the dragon spat fire at the two. With no experience, the brothers could only stare in horror as it rushed towards them. The flames consumed John within seconds, leaving only screams and the smell of burned flesh behind. 

"JOHN!!!!" James screamed, but he turned to the dragon in a grief filled rage with tears rolling down his face.

"For my brother!" he raced up the dragons tail and up the body while dodging the claws of the beast. With a final leap he plunged the sword into the soft underside of the dragon's neck, chopping off the head in one swift blow. With a dramatic landing, James touched the ground, the dead king falling behind him, turning to dust as he hit the ground. The only thing that spoke of it's existence, was a gold crown. The living beings came to James, bestowing the crown on his head and bowing at his feet. "You have slain the tyrant, you have proved yourself to be our king."

"Where is the source of the forest's curse?" King James asked.

"An old tree in the middle of these woods."

"Which way?" 

"To the East sire."

With that James set off, planning to end the pain and suffering of this place. He came to the old tree, looking in it's hollow trunk he found a beating heart. It was an ugly sight that made his stomach churn. With one blow from his sword, the heart stopped, and time stood still for a moment. Then everything was pulled into the tree along with James, the whole forest was consumed, the gap closed. Our heros perished for the good of others, leaving only one tree in place of the forgotten forest. With it's disappearance came many memories of all who had been lost to those eerie trees. Today it stands as a memorial to all who were lost, and the sacrifices made to end the suffering. Slowly a city was built around that last tree, and to this day it is called "The city of the forgotten."

               The
                      End
Again I want to give thanks to my friend who edited the first book because she also edited this one. So thx again "Sebastian Samuel".