Inquisitor's Promise (Act Two, Chapter Nine)

Aeneas has to keep his promises. His father's mission will be completed. And while he's at it, he will become Galatea's lord and Inquisitor. But love and politics are an explosive combination.

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Chapter Nine: History of the Lektros

As soon as the Lepanto had landed on the Moon, Aeneas hurried towards the Lektros Gate. Going to the Lektros Gate did not take long at all because it was not that far down under the Moon. In fact, it was very close to the ground level. The only reason it took very long for anyone to find the Lektros Gate was because it was located at a very remote location, even by Lunar standards. The Venetian colony of Tycho, wherein the spaceport that the Lepanto had landed in, was founded only a few decades ago.

Aeneas was very concerned with Pep’s lack of response. The Inquisitor was ready to launch an expedition to the Lektros Dimension himself when Pep appeared from the Gate. Everyone was shocked to see the Lektros with wounds all over his body. It was the first time that Aeneas had ever seen Lektros blood, colored green. Wasting little time, Aeneas made sure that the Lektros was rushed to the medical room.

The Inquisitor had so many questions to ask Pep as he walked into the Lektros’ sick room. He was surprised to learn that the Lektros was not alone.

“Giulia? What are you doing here?” Aeneas asked. The girl in question was sitting next to Pep who was still lying down and had just recovered.

“So, her name is Giulia,” Pep said. “I finally know the name of this angel!”

The Venetian girl was visibly taken aback by Pep’s declaration that she was left speechless.

“Oh, beautiful Giulia,” Pep continued on. “I would be of great honor if…”

But Pep would not be able to finish his speech as Giulia slapped him across the face.

“Silence, you fool!”

Aeneas watched in horror as he watched the scene unfolding before his eyes, he could already imagine the diplomatic fiasco that was going to happen. The Inquisitor was ready to scold Giulia but before he could do so, Pep laughed heartily.

“To think that the woman who nurtures me so has the heart of the red lyonesse! All more reason for me to have you.”

“You creep!” Giulia barked. She then turned towards Aeneas. “Captain, this infidel is harassing me. Arrest him!”

“Lieutenant!”

“Arrest him!”

Aeneas would like nothing more than to chastise Giulia for her rash actions. She could have easily turned the Lektros against them all, dooming the Holy League against the Grey Globe. On the other hand, Pep had been too forward. Even if his actions didn’t deserve the abuse that the Lektros had receive from Giulia. This situation would require finesse.

And Aeneas had just the solution. Something that could resolve not only this situation, but also his other predicament.

“But Giulia, Pep is right. You are beautiful.”

The Venetian girl was taken aback once more. She looked at Aeneas in shock, not expecting him to say what he just did.

“Captain, you…”

“As you know, Lieutenant, the Inquisition’s mission does not cover those outside the bounds of the Holy League. But even if it does, I can hardly arrest him for telling the truth,” Aeneas explained.

Giulia’s face betrayed one of bafflement as she looked at Pep and Aeneas both. Not being able to find the words to express her feelings, she shook her head.

“Fine,” she said curtly.

“Now leave us, Giulia.”

With nothing more to say, Giulia bowed respectfully to Aeneas and left the room.

Aeneas couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. But Pep eyed the Inquisitor suspiciously.

“What is the game of yours, Aeneas?”

Aeneas paused to consider his next words. He was not ready to reveal his cards just yet. And besides, a part of his conscience had pricked him throughout. Still one more thing to ascertain if this plan of action was to go through.

“Do you remember when we last talk, about religion?” Aeneas asked with a question of his own. “Do you still hold to that?”

“Hold to that? If anything, I feel the more strongly about it!” Pep declared.

“Go on.”

“Allow me to tell you of our history,” Pep began. “You see, the Lektros people are divided into three races: the red men the Me’rah, the white men the Pu’tih, and the blue men the Bih’roe. But more than our blood, the division in Lektros is religious. We all worship one of three gods.”

Aeneas said nothing but instead took out his nav-comm. The gadget had a notebook feature and Aeneas furiously typed what he had heard.

Seeing this, Pep continued on.

“The people of Me’rah worships the Father of the Universe. The being whom they believe to have created the universe and is now guarding the order of the universe. The Pu’tih, believes in the Savior Son, who had walked with mortals gave his own life so others may have eternal life. Finally, us Bih’roe worship the Spirit of the Word who is present everywhere and gives believers spiritual strength.”

Aeneas carefully considered Pep’s words as he typed. In truth, these “gods” of the Lektros sounded very familiar to him. The Inquisitor couldn’t help but wonder how the religious belief of the Lektros had changed throughout history. Perhaps the Lektros once possessed the fulness of the Faith and then lost it. Such was the speculation of Aeneas regarding Lektros history.

“But then,” Pep continued on. “Things changed with rise of prophet so-called Koke Kula. A member of the Me’rah race, Koke Kula believes himself the final prophet of God, the true God who transcends the three gods of Lektros. And he declared of the other believers to be anathema and deserving death.”

“And how do the people of Lektros react to this?”

“They are divided. Many decided to follow him, others opposed him. But the followers of Koke are much more passionate. They know what they are fighting for. Meanwhile, their opponents are united insofar as they are opposed to Koke. As a result, the followers of Koke are winning.”

Aeneas nodded, continuing to take notes. “As to be expected. What exactly did he teach? He sounds like a smart and articulate man.”

“Hah!” Pep said with a laugh. “Articulate perhaps, but he is not smart man! He contradicts himself many times and when people confront him, he says that it doesn’t matter. And do you know why, Aeneas?”

“Why?”

“He said that even God lies because God is all powerful. Therefore, he can lie himself because by doing so, he is emulating God.”

Aeneas was absolutely outraged as he heard such blasphemy. “And people buy this nonsense!?”

“Of course! Koke might not be a smart man, but his teachings are still many of times better than our bankrupt religion,” Pep spat out bitterly.

“And where do you stand in all this,” Aeneas asked as he eyed the Lektros man suspiciously.

Unnerved by Aeneas’ countenance, Pep almost instinctively put his hands in front of his own person.

“I’m not a follower of Koke, if that’s what you think,” Pep said. “I know his teachings to be wrong, but I could not explain why.”

Aeneas was deep in thought as he processed all that his interlocutor had told him. He was beginning to understand the Lektros man’s thirst for the transcendental. A thirst that every person had, but one that was more acutely felt for someone in his situation.

“But what about your wounds?” Aeneas asked to shift the topic of the conversation. “I believe that they have something to do this little war of religion.”

“And you are right, I was getting to that!” the Lektros man answered defensively. “What I have not told you is that Koke is the Archon of the Me’rah race.”

“Archon?”

“They are the warrior protectors of the race. As you know, the Lektros can manipulate electricity. This was possible because of our bodies which can direct electricity as we see fit. But for most Lektros, this ability is limited to simply activating tools and the not. Some warriors may be able to charge their fists or launch some electro-balls. But only Archons, Lektrosses who spent their times honing their electric abilities can do the things I did during our little duel back in your castle.”

“Wait a minute,” Aeneas said as he was putting things together. “But that means, you’re an Archon too.”

“I am,” Pep answered. “I am the Archon of the Bih’roe race.”

“That is also why the followers of Koke are so successful so far. They have the backing of at least the Me’rah race,” Aeneas stated.

“Yes indeed. In truth, Koke had already defeated and killed the Archon of the Pu’tih race, Su Prayt. After that, he defeated me in battle, but I managed to escape with my life.”

Once more, Aeneas’ listened intently and took notes as Pep gave his explanation.

“I am glad that you consider my story to be a good one,” the Lektros man said lightheartedly. “But I do ask a favor of you Terrans.”

Aeneas couldn’t but thought of the word that Pep had used, Terrans. The people of Earth. Sounds good except that the people of Earth were anything but united, despite the best efforts of the Church. But perhaps this might be the start, the beginning to the return to the Age of the Holy Empire.

“Go on.”

“Help me defeat Koke, I know you to be a great warrior.”

“Me, a great warrior?” Aeneas asked incredulously. “I am sure that you would have defeated me in our duel had you not surrendered. Why did you do that?”

“Because you pushed of me to limit,” Pep explained. “At that point, I would have to go all out. And when a Lektros Archon go all out, things get ugly.”

“My heart goes out to you, Pep,” Aeneas said. “But I don’t know if it’s right for me as an Inquisitor to get involved in a dispute between unbelievers.”

“You seek to defeat the Grey Globe, do you not?”

Aeneas looked at Pep, somewhat offended, but kept himself cool. “Of course.”

“Then you must know that the Lektros have records of our meeting with the Terrans of about three thousand years past. They even mentioned about the Terrans and their fight against a grey spherical object, a Grey Globe,” Pep elaborated. “Unfortunately, the followers of Koke have a tendency of destroying the things of the past.”

“You’re saying that if I don’t help you, then I will lose what chance I have to figure out the way to defeat the Grey Globe,” Aeneas stated.

“Indeed.”

Aeneas mulled over his choices. The Lektros sounded very convincing. But still…

“…what if I’m lying, that’s what you be thinking, right?” Pep asked.

Though Aeneas said nothing, the look on his face told the blue man all that he needed.

“Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee the truthfulness of my claim given that Koke’s followers have access to our Great Library,” Pep said. “You just have to trust me on this one.”

For Aeneas, there was only one choice to be made.

“Then let us work together, Pep.”

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