The forest was silent… too silent.
Not the peaceful kind of silence that brought comfort, but the kind that made even the wind feel like it was holding its breath.
A faint sound broke through it.
A cry.
Small. Weak. Human.
Deep within the heart of the Dark Hollow Forest, a woman stumbled through the thick roots and shadows, her breathing ragged. Blood stained the side of her dress, and her hands trembled as she clutched something close to her chest.
A baby.
Wrapped in a soft, dark cloth, the child let out another fragile cry before falling quiet again, as if even she understood the danger surrounding them.
"No… no, please stay quiet," the woman whispered, her voice shaking. "Just a little further…"
Behind her, the forest growled.
Not literally.
But something worse.
The presence of something hunting her.
She didn't need to look back to know.
They were still coming.
Her steps grew unsteady as she reached a clearing where an ancient stone altar stood, half-covered in moss and time. Moonlight poured down like silver fire through the canopy above, marking the place like it had been waiting for them.
"This is it," she whispered.
Tears filled her eyes as she looked down at the baby.
"You will survive… even if I don't."
The baby's tiny fingers curled slightly, as if responding.
A distant howl echoed through the forest.
Closer now.
She pressed her lips to the child's forehead.
"I'm sorry… my daughter."
With shaking hands, she placed the baby gently on the cold stone altar and wrapped her tightly in cloth. Around the child's neck, she tied a small silver pendant shaped like a crescent moon—glowing faintly under the light.
A protection charm.
The woman stepped back, her heart breaking with every step.
Then she turned and ran.
The forest erupted behind her.
Growls. Footsteps. Voices.
And then… silence.
The baby remained.
Alone.
Under the moonlight.
Twelve Years Later
"Move faster, useless girl!"
A harsh voice cut through the air.
A small girl stumbled forward, carrying a heavy bucket of water almost twice her size. Her bare feet were bruised, her dress torn, and dirt clung to her skin.
She didn't answer.
She never did.
The other children at the village watched from a distance, whispering.
"That's her… the forest girl."
"She was found as a baby, remember?"
"Cursed, they say."
The girl lowered her head, gripping the bucket tighter.
Her name was Lira.
At least… that's what they called her.
But sometimes, when the wind was quiet and the moon was high, she heard another name inside her mind.
A name she didn't understand.
A name that felt like home.
A loud shout made her flinch.
"LIRA! Stop standing there like a statue!"
She quickly bowed her head and hurried forward, water spilling slightly over her hands. No one noticed the faint silver glow around her necklace as it flickered under her shirt.
No one… except the forest watching from beyond the village.
And something inside it… waking up.