Oleander sits in a plain living room, staring at a blank wall. In the distance theres incomprehensible yelling and arguing. His hair is brown and long, tied behind his back in a ponytail. He wears a simple long sleeve shirt and leggings, staring at the wall. But its no longer a wall. Something is in front of it. A large, imposing being that almost looks like a faceless human with white skin and a black suit on. Except the suit is part of it. An extension of its skin. A dark tendril reaches from the being, extending a sword to the girl.
Girl. That wasn't right. But it was what everyone called her. Kate Andrews. That was her name. But it didn't sound right. It sounded like the name of someone the girl didn't know. She stands and takes the sword. The moment she does she finds herself in the woods, a large, menacing creature before her. It's head appears to be a bird skull and the rest of its body is made of hair. Its tall and big and scary and all the girl wants to do is run. But she doesn't.
She steels her nerves and swings at the creature, fighting for her life for what felt like hours before finally slaying the beast. She takes a moment to catch her breath and approaches the creature, taking its bird skull mask for herself and placing it on her head. No, her wasn't correct.
They. They placed it on their head.
And they became Oleander Andrews.
The sword in their hands seems off in the corner of their eye. Oleander turns, trying to figure out whats wrong. What did they have to fight next? Their sword hums and they see a white brick wall, hidden by the shade of the trees.
They look back down at their sword in confusion then start to approach the brick wall. The sword has a few glimmers of color, almost like a opal stone. An oddly placed street light flickers on, illuminating the wall. This makes him curious but he looks at the wall. "Hello?"
A dog-like creature slumps halfway over the wall. It has a sloppy, toothy smile and beady eyes. It also has large paws with claws.
Oleander blinks. "Oh. Hello?" He tilts his head. Its... kind of cute?
"Why hello there, Purp. You made quite a mess of that thing back there huh? Are you proud of yourself?"
"Not really." They say simply. "Lock calls me Purp-"
"What do you think the others are going to think of you for that action? Would they be proud?" It's smile twists.
Oleander shrugs. "Unsure if they'd care that much."
"So you're a stronger one, I like that very much," The creature leans closer to them, "Could you kill more?"
Oleander narrows their eyes. "Yeah, I've killed hundreds."
"What if you did a few for me? I could be a very handy friend, a great ally."
"Depends on who you want dead." Oleander says, tilting his head
"To kill the Zingers of my Hell. Though I would recommend seeking aid."
"Who are the Zingers? What are they exactly?" Oleander asks curiously.
"Each leader of Hell, each type. Your friends may call this Hell, 'Happy Go Lucky'. Though, expect that to be an ironic name."
"I see... how many Zingers are there?"
"Seven total. I do warn you though, many Risen have fallen to them."
"I see... and what powers do they have? I assume theyre not human-" Oleander asks.
"I'm confident enough in my friends. I'm sure you all will figure it out."
"Alright... and 'risen' what are they? Am I risen?"
"That you are," its smile curls more. The street light flickers some.
"Huh... what makes me risen?" He asks curiously, glancing back down at his sword
"▞▛▜▛▟▜▛▞▙▜▜▜▟▜▙▟▜▙▛▚▙▛▛▜▛▚▞▛▜▛▟▜▙
▟▛▜▛▛▙▟▙▛▛▜▛▛▜▞▙▜▙▛▛▟▟▟. ▙▛▛▟▟▛▛▙▙▜▛▚▜▛▛▛▙▛▛▟▟▛▙▜▛▛▙▜▟▟▞▛" the words sound like a garbled mess.
Three lights turn on in the dark above the wall, looking down at Oleander. Green, blue, and red.
He looks up in confusion. "Uh... hello?!??!?"
Claws slam down onto the dog creature. There's a spray of blood and loud cracking its skull is smashed, the lights lowering towards Oleander. Oleander yelps, not expecting it as he takes a step back, raising his sword and preparing to run. The lights move closer, another long clawed limb steps down from the trees. Oleander tries to run, but he faces a dark being cloaked in shadows. Its face is white and an eye stares back. There's a strong feeling of good luck.
Oleander stares at in slight fear. "Hello?? Who are you??"
The remains of the dog being speaks in its normal happy tone, "Wobbles here doesn't want it like this!"
"Want what like this????"
"To tell you your goal. Wobbles would prefer to tell you itself but seems Ganders like I spreads the word faster!" it cackles.
"What are Ganders???"
"A Gander divulgar, those over a wall like I," the white face lowers itself towards the Gander.
"Oh- I see...Why were you killed???"
"Because! I was a risen who failed to kill the Zingers!" Suddenly, the gander rips its head out from between the Frobwobber's claws and makes a loud crow caw. Oleander wakes up.