The cathedral-like structures of Floor 26 loomed around them, massive columns of living coral rising to form vaulted arches hundreds of feet above. Shafts of azure light filtered through translucent dome sections, casting rippling patterns across the intricate carvings that adorned every surface. Alexander led the team carefully across a narrow bridge of polished stone, the water beneath them so clear it created the unsettling illusion of walking on air.

  "These structures shouldn't be possible underwater," Lyra said, running her fingers along a wall of coral that somehow maintained perfect right angles. "The pressure at this depth would colpse conventional buildings."

  "Maybe that's the point," Elijah suggested, gazing upward at the impossible architecture. "The Game is showing us what's possible when you transcend conventional limitations."

  Alexander nodded absently, his attention focused on their surroundings rather than the conversation. They'd been exploring Floor 26 for two days without encountering the Cathedral Archon guardian, but his tactical training told him they were getting close. The increasing grandeur of the structures, the presence of smaller guardian-like entities—all pointed to their approach toward the floor's central challenge.

  Their progress through the Azure Realm had been remarkably swift compared to other teams they'd observed. Even accounting for their enhanced preparation and coordination, Alexander knew they were advancing faster than corporate expectations. It made them noticeable. Noticeable meant scrutiny.

  As they entered a vast circur chamber where dozens of arched pathways converged like spokes of a wheel, Alexander felt the familiar prickling sensation of an incoming neural transmission. The particur frequency signature was unmistakable—his father.

  "Hold up," he said, raising his hand. Lyra and Elijah immediately paused, reading his body nguage with the practiced ease of teammates who'd fought together for months. "I need a moment."

  He stepped away to a small alcove and activated his neural interface's private channel. The connection established with a crity that suggested enhanced transmission power—not a routine check-in.

  Alexander. His father's voice filled his mind, crisp and commanding as ever. Your progress continues to exceed expectations.

  "Thank you, father." Alexander kept his tone neutral, maintaining formality despite the private channel.

  However, certain aspects of your team's composition and methods have raised concerns at the executive level.

  Alexander felt his jaw tighten slightly, the only outward sign of tension. "We've maintained exceptional advancement metrics."

  Indeed. Your combat performance is exempry. A pause. It's your... associations that have become problematic.

  "My team functions effectively," Alexander replied carefully. "Our advancement rate speaks for itself."

  Your advancement rate is precisely why this matter requires attention rather than immediate correction. Marcus Voss's tone remained clinical, but Alexander detected the underlying tension. The board has authorized a specialized enforcement team to enter the Game. They will conduct an in-person evaluation of your compliance with corporate directives.

  Alexander's pulse quickened. "Enforcers? That's highly unusual mid-Game."

  These are unusual circumstances. The statement hung between them, heavy with implication.

  "What exactly are they authorized to evaluate?" Alexander asked, already calcuting potential scenarios.

  Your ongoing suitability for leadership, the continued utility of your Unaligned associate, and whether your brother's... unique perceptions remain an asset rather than a liability. They have comprehensive extraction authority if deemed necessary.

  The threat was clear, despite its careful phrasing. Alexander maintained his composure with practiced discipline. "When should we expect this evaluation?"

  They entered the Game yesterday. Given their access privileges, I would anticipate contact within the week. A brief pause. Alexander, I recommend you consider whether certain team adjustments might be prudent before their arrival.

  The implied suggestion to distance himself from Lyra hung unspoken between them.

  "I'll take your recommendation under advisement," Alexander replied formally.

  See that you do. VitaCore has invested considerably in your development. It would be unfortunate if that investment were compromised by... temporary attachments.

  The transmission ended abruptly, leaving Alexander standing alone in the alcove, the vast underwater cathedral suddenly feeling much more confining.

  He rejoined Elijah and Lyra, who had withdrawn several paces to give him privacy, but their concerned expressions made clear they'd been watching his body nguage during the exchange.

  "Bad news?" Elijah asked quietly.

  Alexander gnced around, ensuring no other pyers were within earshot before responding. "Father says corporate enforcers have been dispatched to evaluate our 'compliance.'"

  Lyra's expression hardened. "Compliance with what? We're advancing faster than almost any team in the Game."

  "Apparently our team composition has raised concerns at the executive level." Alexander met her eyes directly. "You were specifically mentioned."

  Instead of fear, Lyra's expression showed calcuted assessment. "So they're finally moving beyond surveilnce to direct intervention."

  "They have extraction authority," Alexander added, watching her reaction carefully.

  "Meaning they can forcibly remove any of us from the Game." Elijah's voice was quiet, but his eyes had the distant look that appeared when he was processing multiple streams of information. "That would mean—"

  "Neural shutdown," Lyra finished. "Not something we want to experience."

  Alexander found himself analyzing their reactions with the tactical part of his mind—Elijah concerned but philosophical, Lyra practical and strategic rather than fearful. When had he started evaluating his own team's responses as data points rather than just following his father's assessment?

  "We should prepare," Alexander said, decisively. "I'd estimate we have less than a week before contact."

  "Will you—" Elijah hesitated, then continued, "What will you do when they arrive?"

  The question carried weight beyond its simple wording. Alexander knew exactly what Elijah was asking: Would he side with corporate authority when directly confronted? Would he sacrifice Lyra to preserve his standing? Months ago, the answer would have been obvious—corporate directives came first. Now...

  "We advance as pnned," Alexander said firmly. "We focus on defeating the Cathedral Archon and moving upward. The faster we progress, the less time they have to interfere."

  Lyra nodded in agreement, but her fingers were already moving through her equipment pouches, mentally cataloging tools and contingencies. "I can create some early warning systems. If they're using standard corporate neural signatures, I might be able to detect their approach."

  "Is that... allowed?" Elijah asked.

  "Probably not," Lyra replied with a tight smile. "But neither is sending enforcers after high-performing pyers."

  Alexander found himself reaching for his personal library access, materializing a slim reference text on corporate enforcement protocols that he'd studied during preparation. He'd never expected to be on the receiving end of such measures.

  "We should review what we know about enforcement procedures," he said, scrolling through the text. "Standard protocols, equipment loadouts, tactical approaches."

  Elijah and Lyra joined him, Elijah materializing his own text—a history of corporate interventions in previous Game cycles—while Lyra simply looked over Alexander's shoulder, occasionally pointing to relevant sections.

  "They'll be heavily armed," Alexander noted, "but focused on non-lethal capture. Their primary objective will be extraction rather than elimination."

  "Which gives us an advantage," Lyra observed. "They have constraints we don't."

  The casual way she referenced potentially fighting corporate enforcers sent a chill through Alexander. Six months ago, he would have reported such talk immediately. Now he found himself nodding in agreement, making mental notes of potential counter-tactics.

  As they studied, the cathedral around them darkened, the ambient light shifting as a storm system formed in the waters above. Massive swells began to rock the structures, the architecture somehow bending without breaking under forces that should have shattered stone.

  "The weather's turning," Elijah observed unnecessarily, looking upward as lightning fshed through the water—an impossibility in the real world, but here in the Game, the physics bent to create the desired atmosphere.

  "We should find shelter," Alexander said, closing his materialized text and making quick notes of key points. "Finish our preparations and rest before we face the guardian."

  As they moved deeper into the cathedral complex, seeking a defensible position for the night, Alexander felt the weight of his father's warning pressing down on him. The approaching storm outside mirrored the conflict building within him—loyalty to family and corporate structure versus the bond that had formed with his team.

  In the distance, thunder rolled through the water—another physical impossibility that somehow felt like a countdown to confrontation. Corporate enforcers were coming. And for the first time in his life, Alexander wasn't certain he would follow corporate directives when they arrived.

  "We need to establish a perimeter," he said as they reached a small chapel-like structure with limited entry points. "Lyra, can you set up those early warning systems you mentioned?"

  "Already on it," she replied, unpacking components from her gear.

  Elijah pced a hand briefly on Alexander's shoulder. "We'll handle this," he said quietly. "Together."

  Alexander nodded, surprised by the reassurance that simple touch provided. As the external storm intensified, matching his internal conflict, he found himself making a decision that would have been unthinkable months ago—he would protect his team, even against corporate interests.

  The realization should have felt like betrayal. Instead, it felt like crity.

  Outside, lightning fshed through the water again, illuminating the colossal silhouette of what could only be the Cathedral Archon in the distance, moving steadily toward their position. One challenge at a time, Alexander thought. Deal with the guardian first, then face whatever came after.

  The storm was coming, both literally and figuratively. And Alexander was beginning to understand which loyalties truly mattered.