CH-44 Manipulation of words from both sides

"Who else could it be besides my main gal… Amelia?" I thought to myself. And shall we be real, the list of people I actually vibe in this world is shorter than a penguin's arms.

"These two!" But then Tina hit me with a wild video, pointing at the screen, which materialized by the use of an artifact, And there they were.

Amelia and… Ely, trapped like a couple of canaries in the world's wackiest birdcage with many students, teachers, and hanging prisoned.

I had to do a double take. The cage was bigger than a hot air balloon, with humans dangling from the bars like feathery convicts!

Amelia and Ely looked… pale like a sheet.

"Am I seeing this right?" I was struggling to make sense of the scene. "... Or did someone slip something extra special in my breakfast burrito this morning?"

… Alright, alright, let me try to spin this yarn in a delightfully droll fashion that'll have you grinning like a possum eating a sweet tater!

"Nuh-uh! I don't love these women with azure long hair!" I waved my hands in front of my face, which was about as if I was a conductor trying to stop a runaway train of problems.

I may be a few fries short of a Happy Meal, but I ain't blind as a bat!

I was practically feeling a tsunami around in my heart, tangled up tighter than a ball of yarn after a cat convention.

So, in a smooth move slicker than a greased pig at the county fair, I switched gears faster than a NASCAR pit crew!

"What is your pain, you were talking about for me to break it?" you asked, laying that loaded question on me like a steaming hot apple pie fresh out of the oven.

Tina's eyes lit up brighter than the Las Vegas strip, and the whole dang room was suddenly more alive than a square dance at a family reunion!

I could see the sadness swimming in their eyes, but there was a glimmer of truth in there too, as clear as a mountain stream.

Tina tapped her gullet And a stylish choker adorned her neck. "Actually, The same person who kidnapped your friends, his strong friends or allies has put this… collar on our neck! Your allies directly transfer to the cage when they appear in our world."

Hmph… It turns out to be the same sneaky rascal who takes my people with some burly buddies or partners in crime. They've gone and slapped these fancy neck pieces on them!

I sidled up for a closer gander. This wasn't just any old accessory – it was a special trinket designed to keep us confined to our current digs.

A cursed contraption, if someone wish, forcing the wearer to obey their master's every order.

In simpler terms, it was a slave-making doodad, preventing us from leveling up to the next realm and turning us into obedient pups for some mastermind.

"Pray tell, would you die if you failed to heed the words of the one who wears this accessory?" I inquired, seeking validation, after having the advantages at my disposal for our circumstances.

"Indeed… The solitary constraint upon us is our inability to assail him!" Tina affirmed with a nod, a glimmer of hope flickering within her.

I smiled suspiciously, "Fortuitous tidings, I have the raw to annihilate you from this bondage…"

"However, there are lingering lies – would such an act be deemed appropriate? Who knows? once I have fulfilled my promise, you would then turn your sights upon me to kill me."

"We would never dare!" Tina exclaimed, her eyes and mouth agape. After a moment's contemplation, she placed her hands upon her chest.

"One of our ancestors still draws breath, yet her corporeal form has been transmuted into stone through magical means and spells by humans in the past."

"She is the true descendant of our merfolk's primordial progenitor. We shall gladly swear a heaven oath if you so desire, but in return, we implore you to liberate her."

"... Intriguing!" I murmured pensively, finding her voice truthful and sincere, I acquiesced, bid to know more about those descendants.

"Very well, my condition is for an oath to be sworn first, and then I shall undertake your deliverance. I, Iris Hope, the goddess of destruction, hereby take a heavenly vow to safeguard the merfolk race, who shall follow my guidance for the remainder of their existence."

The crimson clouds above the ocean's expanse illuminated the waters with a fleeting glow, bearing the celestial seal that signified my oath was taken with utmost solemnity, as everyone awaited the other party's desiderate.

Tina smirked furtively. "Much obliged... I, Tina Lever, the queen of the ocean lands, shall lead the goddess of destruction, Iris Hope, for as long as this mortal coil persists."

"Her edicts shall be gospel to my bloodline, and should we renege, every soul bearing my lineage shall meet their untimely end."

She added with a chuckle, "Though I must admit, having a deity of annihilation as an in-law is quite the conversation starter at family celebrations!"

The clouds once more cast their lighting upon the briny depths, as a circular array manifested ethereally between us, binding our bargain with celestial chains.

For the third and final act, the heavens unleashed a crimson bolt upon this mystic sigil, sealing our pact.

"Well, at least I won't have to worry about forgetting an anniversary." I joked… Though, Should she go against her pledged word, Tina's own expiration would be the consequence.

'fufufu! it seems our finned friend Tina has a sly streak!' Upon further pondering her phrasing, I must admit, the latter engaged in a bit of crafty wordplay.

You see, if she dares defy me, only those poor souls sharing her bloodline will meet a demise, mostly her children, while the rest of the mer-folk can swim about scot-free, without a care in the world!

But let's be real here, I'm no simpleton either. I too had played the game of linguistic legerdemain!

… Those who had their unions to me shall bask in my divine protection, will be safe and sound. As for the rebellious rabble who dare spurn my righteous rule, well... let's just say they'll be sleeping with the fishes or die.

Legend says, "Keep your friends close, and your subjects closer."

"Nice deal!" I confidently shook her hands because… fufufu~~...