Chapter 105 - Connor Has A Crush
Elliot and Ed looked at each other with eyes wide as saucers.
"Connor," they chorused and looked back at Lizzy.
Elliot asked, "What happened to the Ruler of Inferno? Why did he die?"
"The Ruler of Inferno isn't through bloodlines like the identification for other Realms," Vale was the one to answer. "The Ruler will be challenged, a competition to determine who has the fiercest flames. If the Challenger can usurp the old Ruler, they will rule the Realm until another Challenger comes."
"Wait," Elliot raised his hands and thought about what Connor said. "There was something about a Cauldron or was it a Goblet?"
"The Cauldron of Infernal Flames?" Lizzy gasped. "How did you know about such artifact?"
"O-Our friend…" Elliot trailed off, looking at Ed for some kind of confirmation. Ed couldn't decide what to do and shrugged. "It's best if we don't disclose another person's information–"
Lizzy walked over and looked at Elliot dead in the eyes. "Who is the person the Cauldron of Infernal Flames chose?"
"What will happen to that person?" Elliot asked sternly, narrowing his eyes to intimidate the Succubus.
"The Cauldron is the strongest artifact in Inferno," Lizzy explained. "Besides the willing Challenger, the artifact will chose someone who it see fit as the Heir to become the next Ruler."
"You mean, it's like a locator for the next Ruler?" Ed asked, tilting his head. "That's dope."
"I believe no," Vale also stepped in and shook his head. "If the Ruler knew that the Cauldron had chose, the Heir will be in danger."
"Right," Elliot nodded. "They are threatened since the Heir is a much better suit to rule other than a Challenger."
"Indeed," Vale agreed.
Ed chuckled and shook his head, "So you do use your head sometimes."
The four of them decided to meet up with Lance, Connor and Hope at the East Gate where Elliot's cottage was. The three boys were instantly intimidated by how little the Seductors' clothing were. Only thin layer of cloth that only covers their private parts.
"Lance," Elliot called out. "This is Lizzy the Mother of Succubus in Alorde and Vale, the Father of Succubus here."
"N-Nice to meet you," Lance stuttered as he shook the woman's hand then the man's. "And nice to meet you."
"So, what's the plan?" Elliot asked. He looked at everyone who was looking at him. "Why are you looingt at me like that?"
–
"I do not like this plan," Elliot said as he laid in his bed. "What if they sense you guys? You're not exactly easy to hide and this house looked so crowded."
"Just deal with it," Lance said. "It's a little cramped, but we need answers, right?"
Connor tilted his head, "What answers do we need?"
"Let me explain," Elliot said, sitting up. "These two are from the Realm of Inferno. They're the last of their race and they had fled to this kingdom and most of them resides in this city. Their species, Seductors, are believed to have stopped sending to our realm for jobs. Then a pair visited me last night, suspish, right?"
"Yeah," Connor nodded slowly. "Wait, did you say Inferno?"
Elliot pouted, "That's all you got from all of that?"
Connor shook his head, "No. I mean, Inferno is a special place for me, remember? I haven't seen the Priestess–"
Ed flipped and went to Connor, covering his mouth and widening his eyes. "Let's talk about that later."
They heard two people kneel and bow their heads. Turning, the group saw that the two Seductors are bowing on the ground in front of Connor.
"Infernal Heir, chosen by the Cauldron of Infernal Flames," Lizzy started. "Please save out brethren from the tyrant that is Monstrum."
"W-What?" Connor stuttered. "What do you mean?"
Eliot couldn't help but sigh and tell Connor everything. The Seductors were still bowing and kneeling while he talked, both not moving as if they were really desperate for help.
"Please, young lad," Vale said. "We need your help to save our people."
"G-Guys…" Connor trailed off and took a glance at the two. "I don't know anything about your Realm or anything. I was just within the Priestess's Temple where she collectively weaved the flames into my soul."
"Even the Priestess had agreed," Lizzy said. "Then you must really be the one we've always been waiting for. A Challenger comes ever so often, but the last time the Heir was chosen by the Cauldron of Infernal Flames was hundreds of years ago."
"The Heir is so rare, every noble in the kingdom would agree for you to rule over us," Vale said. "You're our last hope, Adventurer Connor."
"Last…" Connor trailed off and looked at Elliot. "I don't think I could do this, I'm sorry. Even when I'm the Heir, I'm not sure if I could handle the people. And, if I'm the Heir of a Realm, does that mean I'm an Eternal too?"
"You are," Lizzy covered her mouth with her hands in shock. "You even know about Eternals. Please, Mister Connor."
"Guys," Connor called out and leaned down in front of the two. "I can help you win your Realm back but I cannot guarantee that I will rule it."
"W-What?" Lizzy gasped. "But Mister Connor, who will rule over us after the Ruler is usurped?"
"I know," Hope said. "The Dracon Realm had agreed on voting. They would elect their leader among the Dragon Emperors. Although it's still being processed, your Realm could also do the same. I believe it will have less chance of having a tyrannical leader."
"But who among the people to choose from?" Lizzy asked. "The dragons have your Dragon Emperors as your leaders, but Infernals only has one, that is our Ruler."
They stopped and sighed, thinking about other ways to deal with the problem. From time to time, Lizzy and Vale would bring up Connor leading them but Connor would always decline.
He always thought that it would be unfit for someone like him to suddenly show up and rule over the Realm. Even when they said the Cauldron had picked him, it still wasn't right.
"I haven't even told my parents about me having this other form," Connor chuckled awkwardly. "How could I tell them that I'd rule over a realm? And besides, I chose my friends over my parents because I want to go on Adventures with them. Suddenly changing my track is not something I aimed for."
Lizzy and Vale couldn't help but sigh in defeat. The Incubus walked over to the kitchen where he drank a glass of water while the Succubus had smiled at Connor.
"If that's what you want, we cannot force you," Lizzy said, placing her hand on his shoulder. "And thank you for considering us. I just wish the Priestess told you more. Maybe it would've changed your mind."
Connor cleared his throat and looked away, avoiding eye contact with Lizzy.
Seeing this, his friends gasped. Elliot was the first one to tease, "Connor just blushed at the mention of the Priestess!"
"Yeah!" Hope added. "His face is red as a tomato right now."
"Guys, stop," Connor said. "Elliot, weren't you supposed to be sleeping?"
"Don't try to change the subject, fool!" Ed roared. "Tell us what she's like. How come you like her?"
"L-Like her?!" Connor gasped. "Where did that come from?"
Lance tackled his friend and the others followed, "Come on, man. Tell us!"
"I now know why he'd chose them," Lizzy walked over to Vale. "It's where he's happy."
"Yeah," Vale chuckled. "At least hed help us against Grif."
"Yeah," Lizzy said.
The group had laugh at each other, Lance pulling their group into the bed.
A smoke appeared in the center of the room, prompting everyone to stop.
"So, he's back in the house–"
Gomorrah stopped herself, eyes widening after seeing that they weren't alone.
"Surprise?" Elliot awkwardly chuckled.