The ant's feast finished, the three men left the barrier. The other girls had settled their argument and were waiting for them around the sleeping Cynthia. They were quite curious as to why she was sleeping and the boys had been inside a barrier... They were never told why and instead, Shen asked Verena:

Shen: Lera told me you got the keys.

Verena: Yes, mighty Great God!

She took off the hooded robe to reveal an incredible body shape that could put princesses and queens to shame. While any man or woman would have looked at the body curves, Shen and the others were attracted by her necklace. A necklace that had six golden keys on it. She took it off and respectfully went down on one knee before presenting forward to Shen.

Verena: Great God! Please!

Shen: You could just call me Shen... Thanks.

Verena: I wouldn't dare!

Shen: ...Whatever.

Atem: Where is the last key, vampire?

Verena looked blandly towards Atem before returning her gaze to Shen. She didn't give a fuck about other men but her Great God.

Shen: ...Where is it, Verena?

Verena: There are only six keys, Great God!

Atem: There should be seven.

Verena: ...

Shen: *sigh* Are you sure?

Verena: Yes, Great God! Feel free to check, they are linked with a Magic bond.

Shen: Right... Let's see.

Shen infused his Magic into one of the keys and it enabled him to sense the other ones...She was right. There were only six keys. But there were seven keyholes. Which meant that one key was missing and not to be found in this world. One of the seven fuckers took it with him. And there was only one who could have done that. The one who made the seal himself.

The trio realized the fact at the same time and they began to rage silently. They would have to wait for him to come? This was unacceptable.

Shen: How long would it take you to craft a seventh one?

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Atem: Years.

Shen: Fuck!

In the end, having finished their business here, they decided to return to the Mansion in order to plan their next steps. Verena decided to tag along as she only remained here to be found by her God. And he did.

Once at the Mansion, Shen and Atem were discussing things while the others were sent shopping and learning about the state of the dungeon entrance.

Shen: This bastard really did it this time.

Atem: No, it can't be that simple. He would have known that it would only restrain us for a time... There has to be more to this.

Shen: Like what? This coward only ever knew how to trap people.

Atem: But what if it wasn't a way to trap us...But an alarm? To warn him.

Shen: You think...

Atem: Yes. They were smart. They knew that we would escape and that, when we did, they would be slaughtered. So, what if they used the time we were sealed to prepare themselves for battle? What if they kept the seventh key so that they could be the ones to initiate the fight?

Shen: To get the upper hand...It is a possibility too. What do you think we should do?

Atem: They made one mistake. They left the door in our folded world. We can prepare the home ground for the battle.

Shen: True. But what if they never come and it was solely to buy time?

Atem: We can always work on making a seventh key after preparing the homegrounds. Just in case.

Shen: ...If they do come, they won't be alone. They would have enough of a strikeforce that they would feel confident about besting us.

Atem: They never knew our true power though. But yes, if it happens this way, it will be a tough fight. Which means we must prepare thoroughly before returning inside the dungeon.

Shen: I could stall the bastards by myself while you guys take care of the rabbles. If you have Lera and Verena's help, it is doable.

Atem: Would they help?

Shen: I can convince both.

Atem: Adeline and Cynthia have to stay out of this though. They would be burdens we can't afford.

Shen: Of course. I will take care of the girls, you discuss your game plan with Tempest.

Atem: Alright.

...

Lera: You want me to fight with you against them?

Shen: Yes.

Lera: I'm in. I have to make them pay for what they did to you, to us, and to our world.

Shen: Alright.

...

Verena: I would do anything for my Great God but this is something I can't agree to.

Shen: ...Really? Why?

Verena: I am the last of my kind. I wished to find my Great God solely so that we could bring back the glorious age of my clan...I believe my God's ennemies to be powerful and...I don't have the strength to survive this with certainty.

Shen: ...You thought I would help revive your clan? How?

Verena: I want to bear my God's children.

Shen: ...That is likely the very first time a woman was so direct in her approach...Alright. I will respect your wish and grant your request. Those keys that you got us are worth my help for anything you could have asked after all. It would have been a pain to search and find them ourselves.

Verena: It was certainly a pain to do.

...

Atem: So, she won't fight with us and you need to get her pregnant first before we start the plan?

Shen: Just give me ten days. You know how different it is for vampires.

Atem: You're the prime, your call. Still...why did you even agree to this?

Shen: I owe her ancestors. They died for us and because of us.

Atem: That's true...But will you have enough Magic left after that?

Shen: That's why I said a dozen days. It will take me nine to recover since pregnancy works through drinking each other's Magic for vampires.

Atem: Then we start in ten days.