Folgore led them out of the treatment room and down the main corridor of level -13. Brando, Giordano, and Rusty followed her in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Instead of continuing all the way to the end, Folgore suddenly stopped in front of a section of wall that appeared identical to all the others.

  She placed her hand on a specific point and spoke clearly: "Authorization Folgore-07. Abyss Protocol."

  The wall seemed to dissolve like snow in the sun, revealing a passage that hadn't been there before. An organic corridor stretched ahead of them, so different from the sterile environment of Daedalus that it seemed to belong to another world.

  "Welcome," Folgore said, stepping forward, "to the Neural Cryogenic Immersion Chamber."

  Once they crossed the threshold, Brando's jaw dropped. The chamber was immense, an enormous artificial cavern with walls that pulsed rhythmically as if they were inside the artery of a titan. The material composing the cavern didn't seem to be metal or stone, but an organic substance through which bluish fluids flowed in conduits that branched like veins. It really felt like standing inside a heart pumping blue blood.

  And where did all this blue blood flow? What dominated the chamber was a colossal construction at the center: a structure vaguely reminiscent of a mechanical whale, suspended in a thick, viscous liquid that filled a circular tank. It was at least twenty meters long, and hundreds of transparent tubes branched from its massive body, connecting to immersion tanks arranged in a circle around the main structure.

  "Holy shit," Giordano whispered, perfectly expressing what Brando was thinking.

  "This is the Whale," Folgore explained. "A Neural Cryogenic Immersion system that projects your consciousness into an accelerated simulation, while your bodies remain here, immersed in a fluid that enhances the evolution of your Cold Veins."

  Sara, who had followed them silently, approached a control console. "The device was originally created to train Bearers safely," she explained. "A way to acquire combat experience without exposing cadets to real dangers. The problem is that it proved more dangerous than reality itself."

  "What do you mean?" Brando asked, unable to look away from the pulsing structure.

  "In the simulation," Sara replied, "your Cold Veins are directly connected to your consciousness. If you die in there, the Cold Veins collapse instantly in the real world too, killing you before we can extract you."

  "Both of you will be connected to the same simulation, along with Rusty thanks to your connection," Folgore added. "Three consciousnesses in a shared environment, designed to evolve in response to your reactions."

  "And there's another element that makes this technology unique," she continued, with a more serious tone. "The Whale has developed its own consciousness during the experiments, an artificial intelligence we call 'the Custodian.' She controls the simulation, continuously adapting it to the psyche of whoever enters."

  Sara turned toward them while activating a series of commands on the console. "The Custodian is curious," she elaborated. "She digs into your memories, your fears, your deepest desires. Creates personalized trials to push you beyond your limits. She's unpredictable, but extremely effective."

  Brando and Giordano looked at each other. Then Brando turned toward Rusty, sensing through their connection that the puppy, strangely, seemed more curious than afraid.

  "I'm in," Brando finally said. "I feel like I have to try this."

  Giordano stared at the Whale for a few more seconds, then sighed theatrically. "I've never gotten along very well with my family members, so I guess I take after my mother. I bet she'd be proud to see me do something so incredibly stupid." He looked Folgore in the eyes. "I'm in too. But if I die in there, I swear I'll come back as a ghost to kick all your asses."

  Folgore nodded solemnly, a glimmer of something like respect in her eyes. "It's decided, then. Sara, prepare the tanks for immersion."

  Sara gestured for them to approach the tanks. "Lie down here. I'll connect the sensors that will monitor your vital parameters during immersion."

  As they lay down in the cold tanks, Sara worked quickly, applying dozens of electrodes to their bodies. Rusty curled up in a smaller tank, designed specifically for him.

  "One last thing," Folgore said as the transparent covers began to close. "Whatever you see in there, remember: it's real. It can kill you."

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  The cryogenic liquid began to fill the tanks, cold as death but strangely comfortable. Brando felt a strange calm descend over him as the fluid enveloped his body.

  The last thing he saw before the liquid completely covered his face was the Whale pulsing more intensely, as if it were awakening. Then the room's lights became distorted through the fluid, and gradually his consciousness separated from reality.

  When he reopened his eyes, Brando found himself lying on a floor of ice polished like a mirror. He was on a frozen plain that extended infinitely in all directions, dominated by a purplish sky where crystal clouds floated like fluorescent jellyfish.

  He rose slowly, feeling every muscle respond with extraordinary efficiency. His body seemed lighter, more responsive, as if gravity here had different rules.

  "Where the fuck are we?"

  Giordano's voice made him turn. His friend was a few meters away, with the same confused and disoriented expression. Rusty, instead, appeared beside Brando.

  "I don't know," Brando replied, studying the surreal environment. "Some kind of neural simulation, I suppose."

  Before he could add anything else, a crystalline sound resonated in the air, like ice bells moved by the wind. A female voice, cheerful and melodious but with a detached undertone, interrupted them.

  【Welcome to CryoGame, the ultimate Neural Cryogenic Immersion experience!】

  The three turned sharply. Floating in mid-air was a small white whale, no bigger than a kitten, with enormous eyes and a sardonic smile. Its fins moved slowly as if it were swimming in the air, and a light bluish aura surrounded it.

  【I am The Custodian, your holographic mentor and guide through this wonderful simulation of death and suffering!】

  Text appeared in the air as the whale spoke, like holographic subtitles that traveled to the rhythm of her words.

  "What the fuck..." Giordano muttered, exchanging an incredulous look with Brando. They expected anything except for the Custodian of a potentially lethal system to look like a kawaii plushie.

  【Language, young man! Here we die politely.】

  The whale wagged in the air, flipping with a fluid movement that seemed to mock them, apparently amused by her own joke.

  【Before beginning this exciting adventure, allow me to illustrate the rules. Rule number one: if you die in the simulation, you die in real life! Simple, right?】

  Brando frowned, feeling a chill that had nothing to do with the cold. "So it's true that if we fail here..."

  【Exactly! Your bodies in the real world will become delicious popsicles! But don't worry, I'm sure your loved ones will appreciate the opportunity to have a winter-themed funeral.】

  Rusty growled, showing his sharp teeth, but the whale ignored him completely, doing a little pirouette in the air.

  【Rule number two: you can accumulate Evolution Points by defeating Manifestations and overcoming trials. These points will convert into real increments of your Cold Veins upon completion of the Immersion. Assuming you survive, of course.】

  "And how are we supposed to face these trials?" Brando asked, trying to maintain calm despite the absurdity of the situation.

  【Ah, excellent question! And here's rule number three: you'll have access to Cold Enhancers, special equipment that will provide you with unique abilities during the simulation. Why fight on equal terms when you can cheat a little? Mr. Casadei, however, is a special case. His adorable Predator Ice can be used and enhanced in the simulation.】

  Brando looked at his hands. He could feel the Predator Ice stirring beneath his skin. Concentrating, he materialized a small sphere of ice with pulsing dark veins. It was easier here, more natural, as if the simulation had removed some mental barrier that normally limited his control.

  【And let's not forget the puppy! Rusty will have access to Cold Enhancers specific to Pseudo-Glacials. Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary?】

  "Who are you really?" Brando asked, studying the whale with suspicion. "Are you an artificial intelligence or something else?"

  The little whale seemed surprised by the question, or at least pretended to be, flapping her tiny fins.

  【Oh, what a profound question! I'm a neuroinformatics support interface designed to facilitate Cryogenic Immersion without causing psychic rejection... but you can consider me the fairy godmother of your impending death!】

  Giordano was really irritated by that creature and had the impulse to punch it. He raised his hand to throw a punch, but Brando stopped him by grabbing his right arm.

  "Folgore said three people out of seventy-five survived last time," Brando continued. "What are our real chances?"

  The whale seemed to consider the question, swaying thoughtfully in the air.

  【Hmmm... considering your singular cryogenic profile, the current level of system optimization, and the presence of a Pseudo-Glacial as an anomalous variable... I'd say 8.7% survival probability. Almost double what was estimated for the original test! You should feel lucky.】

  "Great..." Giordano muttered, even more nervous than before.

  【Well, now that we've covered the basics, I'd say it's time to start the show! Your first challenge awaits you right behind that door. Good luck! And remember, I'm rooting for you. But only a little.】

  With a final sardonic grin, the whale pointed to an ice door that hadn't been there before, materialized from nowhere a few meters away. Then she vanished in a cloud of luminous particles, leaving them alone on the vast frozen plain.

  The team cautiously approached the door the Custodian had indicated. It was an imposing portal of dark blue ice, decorated with intricate floral symbols. Rusty, beside him, emitted a low warning growl.

  "Now what?" Giordano asked, suspiciously observing the polished surface. "Do we just push it?"

  Brando hesitated for a moment, then extended his hand. His fingers touched the icy surface of the door and, to his surprise, it reacted to his touch, creating ripples that spread like waves in a pond.

  "I think we just have to... go through it," he murmured, pressing lightly.