“Here, take my hand”

That’s what he said to the despondent me that was leaning on the putrid smelling wall.

That was fine with me, though. This is infinitely better than anything that was up there in that despicable city were it’s inhabitants wouldn’t hesitate to rob, rape, burn, and kill the second that they think about it.

“Hello? Anybody there? I’m talking to you, you know”

I couldn’t even fathom how he found me down here in the sewers. But to be fair, anyone who was probably scared and desperate would consider this place as the go-to hiding spot. So, I guess that answers my own dumb question.

“Besides, it's the only viable choice for someone like you. So, come on and take it. I promise I won’t bite… not unless you want me to, of course. I don’t have that kind of kink, but I’ll try”

It’s not the only choice that I have, but it’s the ONLY choice that he’s giving me. In spite of that, I still reached out and took his hand.

Anything was better than waiting here to die and rot like the dead bodies of the locals. And even though this was akin to making a deal with the devil, it was still a sliver of hope, nonetheless.

…

Who am I kidding, this moment is what I’ve been waiting for so long.

“ARGHHH!”

I screamed as my right hand which was making contact with his flesh burns in searing pain, and when I pulled it away, it left a scorch mark. A scorch mark in the shape of a crown with a number zero in it's center.

“Welcome to the Ranking Wars, my dear Pawn~” He said, as he claps his hands together, delighted at the outcome.

“Now, carry these bags and let’s get the hell out of here. This place reeks of poverty, death, and a little bit of hopelessness” He said, as he throws his two large bags towards me while I clumsily caught them with my dirty hands and arms.

“Hah! A little bit” He said in gest. “Hopefully, we could find a place that has running water and electricity before the sun decides to take a breather”

It's too soon for a drastic change, I suppose. But to be honest, a baggage carrier for a King was nice. Not in a degrading way, of course, but it was better than most of the things that I did here.

“By the way, you still didn’t tell me your name”

“It’s Charlie… Milord”

“Any family name?”

“McDuffin” I said. “It’s Charlie McDuffin, Milord”

“That’s so lame!” He suddenly shouted as we were climbing up the sewer’s ladder.

“Hell no! We’re changing your lame-ass name right this instant!”

“Wah? Why?”

“If we want you to rack up some fame and achievements, then a proper fitting name would do good for you in the future” He explained as we finally made it out of that hell hole to which I called a ‘safe place’. I would have hesitated to come out during the daytime, but that isn’t the case right now.

“And I just have a certain name in mind that would suit you perfectly!” He said in exclamation while doing a guts pose as if he just won the Olympics. Not like the is Olympics being hosted these days because people had a new and more important goal and form of entertainment than winning some gold medal for their country. Maybe someday, but not today.

“Let's put your background story for the people to tell when the day comes” He then covers his self with the gray cloak that he was wearing, and only slightly peeked with his head popped up above it.

“You came from the fifth circle of Hell. The dark herald of Wrath that would strike fear into anyone who would even say--nay, to who even dares to think about speaking your name aloud!”

He was putting on a show while we were being stared at by a few not so affable people with detestable looks in their eyes that would make you tremble in fear on the spot. The only reason why they weren’t doing anything was because of the wooden cane that he was brandishing around. And isn't that contradictory to what we want? If they were too afraid to speak of my name, then how can they even gossip about me? Will they start calling me ‘The one who shall not be spoken about’, then? Sounds stupid to me. I just hope my nose doesn’t disappear when that does happen.

“Balthazar Ira Fortuna Von Gruel… IV!”

…

I hate to say it, but I think Milord is an idiot. Or, maybe he was just a little bit eccentric with an eight grade syndrome to top it off. And also, not so tactful for someone of his stature. I’ll keep it under wraps for now since Milord and I just met a few minutes ago and I hate to judge.

“B-but, Milor-“

“No buts, Balthazar. Now, let’s not waste our time here and find ourselves some place that has the basic necessities for a semi-luxuries lifestyle”

“…Yes, Milord”

I… I guess my name’s Balthazar Ira something-something… IV now. And why did it reminded me of an oatmeal for some reason?

“Just call me Wise, by the way. I hate the whole ‘Milord' bullshit that the others emphasize about”

“Yes, Mi-“

“Uhp! What did I just say?”

“… sir Wise?”

“Arghhh!” He ruffles his hair and sighs afterwards. “That’s better, I guess, but you should drop that ‘sir’”

I nod my head in response to him.

“Now, off we go!”

And that’s how my new life with Wise began, and my journey to fame and glory started.

“We’re going to be using this bad boys... soon” He gleefully laughs like a small child getting a Christmas present from their parents, but what he was holding onto were explosives. The not so dazzling fireworks type of explosives.

“Oooh! I just can’t wait!”

Infamy and disrepute are also open options.