"Everyone in the World of Living Things naturally speaks and understand Living Syllable." Jamo added, repeating what he said earlier with a little bit of rephrase.
He motioned at Jess. "The reason why she can't understand Living Syllable defies everything I know."
"What happened? What did he say?" The unfortunate Jess pressed at last, her voice trembling with curiosity and concern.
Merry exhaled, smoothing her auburn hair. "He said we're in a world known as the World of Living Things."
Jess asked too many other questions and Merry though annoyed, answered patiently—she was used to it. She was used to lower her head to listen and respond to Jess. Most prominent question was "Why is it called The World of Living Things?" the name sounded peculiar and too board.
"We're from a world called Earth. Have you ever heard of it?" Lufe spoke softly, his voice carried a faint tremor—Earth felt impossibly distant now.
Jamo's dark eyes flickered. He shook his head and offered a rueful smile. "I cannot say that I have."
A hush settled over the group. Merry squared her shoulders. "It seems we've been teleported here by accident."
Jamo scoffed softly, the sound carrying more wonder than scorn. "Teleportation within a world—that I understand. But from one world to another…" he paused, his expression turning even more perplexed then he finished the sentence "... is entirely a new thing to new"
Jess repeated her question, her voice steadier now: "Why is it called the World of Living Things?"
This time, Lufe diverted the translated version of the question to Jamo.
Jamo nodded and walked towards two large mossy—covered rocks. He sat on one. He gesticulated and two rocks rose from nearby, hovering before settling gently in place. "Please—sit and let the sun dry you. We cannot wander wet; it draws unnecessary attention."
The three siblings settled onto the smooth rocks, the heat seeping through their damp clothes and easing their aches.
Once all were seated, Jamo began in measured, narrative tones. "Our world is called the World of Living Things because everything here is imbued with Vital energy—the breath of Ifa. Plants, water, air, earth, light, even stones: all are composed of Vital energy."
Merry repeated each concept in English to Jess, her voice calm. Jess leaned forward, eyes shining.
"Even stones are alive?" Jess asked. Merry translated into Living Syllable.
Jamo's gaze was solemn. "Yes—everything, including the ground itself."
It was Vital energy—the life energy known as ifalika in Living Syllable—that made all things alive.
"So, can these plants hear us?" Jess, the victim of ecstasy asked. Merry translated it.
Upon hearing the question, Jamo chuckled softly, his face reminded Jess of beautiful actress from Cenderela movie.
"Nope," he explained "Plants—with some exceptions, do not hear for they do not have ears. Do not see for they do not have eyes and do not speak for they lack mouths and tongues."
The siblings captivated listened attentively to something that felt like a tale.
"The same is the case with other things like rocks, earth, and water." he continued. "These things also lacked self awareness and self consciousness. They do not think, for they do not have brains. They have no emotions since they do not have hearts."
"They are incapable of many other things humans do, because they lack necessary organs."
In the World of Living Things, humans and other intelligent beings, utilised their own Vital energy to communicate with the Vital energy within nature and manipulate them, commanding them.
It all lied in telepathy empowered by the bond that connected all children of ifa—ifaa*, all things.
*ifaa is pronounced as ifaya like ifire with i pronounced as i as in ink.
The bond was formed by Vital energy simply because all cells and particles were composed of Vital energy—the ifalika.
For example, if a human telepathically used their Vital energy to communicate with cells of a plant they could manipulate the plant like twisting it, moving it the possible way they want.
"Because every atom in this world is born of Vital Energy, we can wield that energy like clay," Jamo continued. "A telepath might coax the roots of a tree to shift, or ask the water of a spring to part."
Jamo opened his ears. "Listen… do you hear that?"
A hush fell, broken only by a soft, rhythmic murmur. It was neither wind nor wildlife but a gentle, continuous inhalation, as if some gigantic and invisible entity was breathing.
"That is the breath of Ifa—unceasing and eternal," Jamo murmured.
They shivered, as if the revelation had touched their very bones.
They also wondered who—or what was ifa? Jamo anticipated it, so he took the initiative to explain it.
"Ifa is the Almighty God—the creator of all things. All things are known as ifaa meaning the children or offsprings of Ifa. His breath gave life to every particle." He explained
"If you go deep down into the underground—which is almost impossible, you'll find veins of Ifa—rich in Pure Vital energy that makes one absolutely pure."
Lufe frowned. "If Ifa is deep beneath the ground, where do we find Him?"
Jamo's eyes shone. "Ifa is not a being hidden beneath the ground. Ifa is the world itself—the World of Living Things."
He extended his hand, palm up, as if cradling the entire world. "Through His breath, Vital energy fills the air. It is by ifalika that all things are sustained."
Lufe crossed his arms. "On Earth, our air is mostly oxygen," he said.
"Well, here—in the World of Living Things the air is composed of Vital energy" then Jamo added, "Over ninety percent. There are traces of other substances such as Pure energy and perhaps your oxygen too."
The simple math that Jamo did, was that since Lufe and the girls—who were inhabitants of Earth were able to survive in the World of Living Things there might be their—so called oxygen in the atmosphere.
The siblings completely forgot how thick and oppressive the air was. They adapted so fast.
"Pure energy?" Merry wondered. Ualika.
Jamo pointed toward the distant stand of colossal mushroom‑like trees. "Those trees are called Pure trees. They emit pure energy that purifies living bodies and amplifies one's ability to absorb Vital energy."
Pure trees in Living Syllable were called—Ua* trees.
*Ua is pronounced as Uya U as in Ululate and ya as in yacht.
He explained that Pure trees were exceedingly rare. They grew only in pure lands—the whitish-brown land.
The city—Jelan city of Fosita kingdom, was considered fortunate to have a few acres of pure land. The trees benefited anyone in the city especially in surrounding villages.
Villagers revered the trees forbidding any to enter the naturally growing fields—the fields of Pure trees.
Jamo turned to them with a smile "And... You... Mm... Can you tell me what you were doing—with your house in the sacred pure field?"
The siblings exchanged glances. That was the reason why the mob—turned out to be village people attacked them. They committed a crime against protected public property.
Merry's eyes narrowed. "So… we trespassed?"
"You committed a serious crime." Jamo replied.
Lufe got annoyed, it wasn't intentional. "It was unintentional. If only they had given us a chance to speak."
"Lufe, my friend" Jamo spoke in relaxed manner. "Everyone in the World of Living Things knew those trees are sacred. The village people obviously have no idea you're from another world."
"Besides, there was plenty of spaces so the damage must have been minimal. Why so harsh?" Lufe argued.
"The trees are fragile in nature, they require a space of at least 50 la*(approximately 5 metres) between them otherwise they'll die. If something like a large rock was placed in the field for a long time, all trees less than 50 la away will die. Your house caused a significant damage."
*La was a measurement of length just like metres and feet. One la approximated 10 centimetres or 1 third of a feet. It was based on the length of average step of an average adult person who was moving at an average normal speed. It was the gap between the toe of the back foot and the heel of the forward foot.
Suddenly Merry remembered about the bandits. Her dark eyes brightened with concern. "What about those bandits? Who were they exactly?"