The scent of sulphur gradually faded behind them, replaced by an air thick with the smell of damp earth and a peculiar warmth. Guided by Noah's intermittent yet increasingly clear directions, Lin Ye leaned on a stalagmite he had broken off from the rock wall, a makeshift crutch. Every step sent searing, tearing pain through his back. Sweat blurred his vision. Zero, beside him, struggled to support him, her own steps unsteady from weakness, yet a newfound resilience flickered in her amber eyes.
After what felt like an eternity spent crawling and stumbling through the oppressive darkness, a faint light finally appeared ahead. It wasn't the cold gleam of emergency lights, nor the artificial flicker of a man-made fire, but rather... a warm, orange-red glow that seemed to seep from the very depths of the rock.
[Noah: We've arrived, Host. Ahead is the entrance to the geothermal cavern I detected. Energy readings indicate a suitable internal temperature, relatively stable air circulation, and... the geomagnetic interference here does indeed effectively shield against most high-frequency AI signal tracking.] Noah's voice was much smoother than before; evidently, the lingering effects of the EMP were diminishing, or perhaps the unique environment of this cavern was beneficial for her system's recovery.
They stumbled out of the narrow passage, and the space before them opened up dramatically.
It was a natural cavern, far more spacious than they could have imagined. The ceiling was high, disappearing into the gloom above, where strangely shaped stalactites hung down like the fangs of ancient behemoths. The cavern walls were not smooth but rugged, marked by jagged volcanic rock and the solidified tracks of ancient lava flows. In certain areas, the rock glowed with a strange, dark red hue and emanated a faint warmth. The orange-red light they had seen earlier originated from these peculiar rocks, as well as from patches of glowing fungi clinging to the walls, resembling burning embers, casting a hazy, warm illumination throughout the cavern.
In the center of the cavern, a small geothermal hot spring pool steamed and bubbled, its surface disturbed by rising gases, filling the air with a faint scent of sulphur and minerals, much more pleasant than the overpowering stench of the previous passage. Beside the spring, a few heat-resistant, strangely shaped ferns even managed to thrive, their fronds a vibrant, unlikely green against the dark rock.
"This place..." Lin Ye was stunned by the sight. Even after struggling for so long in the apocalypse, it was hard to imagine such a seemingly isolated, wondrous place hidden deep underground. It felt like stepping into another world, a prehistoric sanctuary untouched by the metallic blight that had consumed the surface.
Zero's eyes widened as well, curiously taking in this unfamiliar environment. The warmth and relatively bright light here, combined with the absence of the immediate, suffocating threat, seemed to slightly ease her nerves, which had been frayed raw by prolonged stasis and terror. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
[Noah: Preliminary scan complete. No large predatory organisms detected within the cavern. Air composition is suitable for short-term human habitation, but we must remain vigilant for instabilities related to geothermal activity, such as intermittent steam eruptions or changes in toxic gas concentrations. Water source... the hot spring water has a high mineral content and requires filtration before drinking. However, I am detecting small amounts of pure condensed water dripping from the eastern rock wall, likely safe to consume directly after collection.]
"First... first, let's find a place for you to lie down," Zero's voice was a little hoarse, but steadier than before. She supported Lin Ye, carefully avoiding the loose stones scattered on the ground, and guided him to a relatively flat, dry rock platform near one of the glowing rock faces, which offered both light and warmth.
Lin Ye practically collapsed onto the rock platform, the excruciating pain in his back causing spots to dance before his eyes. He gritted his teeth, a low groan escaping him despite his efforts. He knew he had to treat his wound immediately; Noah's earlier warning about dire consequences was not an exaggeration.
He fumbled with the clasps of his damaged combat suit with trembling hands, the simple action feeling monumental. Zero hesitated for a fraction of a second, then knelt beside him. "Let me," she said softly, her voice barely a whisper.
Her small, cold fingers, surprisingly deft despite their trembling, worked at the fastenings. Lin Ye flinched as the fabric السياسي away from his raw, burnt flesh, but Zero's touch was as gentle as she could manage. When the extent of the wound was revealed – a horrifying patchwork of blackened, blistered skin oozing a clear, acrid-smelling fluid – Zero let out a small, sharp intake of breath. Her face, already pale, lost another shade of color.
[Noah: Host, the wound is as I suspected. We need to clean it thoroughly to prevent infection, then apply the regeneration gel. Zero, I will project the instructions directly into Lin Ye's AR overlay. Lin Ye, you will need to guide her verbally. Focus on clarity and calmness.]
Lin Ye nodded, his jaw tight. "Zero," he began, his voice strained, "Noah will show me what to do. I'll tell you. First... the antiseptic solution. It's in the small blue vial in my medkit."
Zero fumbled with the medkit Lin Ye indicated, her hands shaking so much she almost dropped it. She found the vial, her brow furrowed in intense concentration. The process was agonizingly slow and fraught with barely suppressed gasps of pain from Lin Ye each time she had to touch the wound. The acrid smell of the antiseptic mingled with the metallic tang of blood and the ever-present sulphur. Zero's own breathing was shallow, and several times Lin Ye saw unshed tears glistening in her amber eyes, but she pressed on, her earlier fear seemingly overridden by a desperate need to help.
"Good... now the debridement tool... just the edges, very gently..." Lin Ye guided, his voice hoarse, fighting back waves of nausea.
It took what felt like an eternity. Zero, despite her inexperience and her own weakened state, followed Noah's relayed instructions with a focused intensity that surprised Lin Ye. When she finally applied the cool, soothing regeneration gel and covered the wound with the last clean dressing pad, both of them were trembling with exhaustion and a strange, shared relief.
Zero sat back on her heels, her shoulders slumped. "Is... is that better?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the dressing, unable to look at Lin Ye's face.
"Much... much better, Zero. Thank you," Lin Ye said, his voice thick with a mixture of pain and genuine gratitude. The burning agony had subsided to a dull, throbbing ache, and for the first time in what felt like hours, he could breathe without every inhalation feeling like a fresh torment. He felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, the adrenaline finally ebbing.
[Noah: Host, your vitals are stabilizing, but you've lost a significant amount of blood and are exhibiting signs of shock. You need to rest. Zero, he needs to stay warm and hydrated. The condensed water I mentioned is approximately 50 meters to your right, near that cluster of glowing fungi. I can guide you.]
Zero looked at Lin Ye, then nodded determinedly at the unseen Noah. "I'll get it." She rose unsteadily, her legs still weak, but there was a new purpose in her movements.
As Zero carefully made her way across the uneven cavern floor, guided by Noah's directions which Lin Ye relayed, Lin Ye leaned back against the warm rock, a profound weariness settling over him. He watched her small, fragile figure navigate the alien landscape of the cavern, a strange feeling Knoten in his chest. This girl, this "Subject Zero," who had every reason to fear and hate anything remotely connected to AI or implants, had just tended to his wounds with a courage he wouldn't have expected.
The "bridge," she had called herself. A bridge between human and machine. What did that truly mean? And how had she, in that moment of crisis in the pipes, managed to momentarily disrupt the Ghost Signal's attack? The blue, circuit-like lights on her skin… he had seen them. Noah had registered it. It was a mystery叠加 on top of an enigma.
He must have dozed off, because the next thing he knew, Zero was gently dabbing his forehead with a damp piece of cloth. He blinked, his vision clearing slowly. The cavern was still bathed in the soft, orange-red glow.
"You were feverish," Zero said quietly, her voice a little stronger now. She held a makeshift cup fashioned from a large, concave piece of rock, filled with clear water. "Noah said to give you this."
Lin Ye pushed himself up slightly, wincing. "Thanks, Zero." He took the water, the coolness a welcome relief to his parched throat. "How long was I out?"
"Not long. Maybe an hour," she replied, sitting a little distance away, hugging her knees. The fear in her eyes had lessened considerably, replaced by a guarded curiosity and an undeniable exhaustion.
"We need to talk, Zero," Lin Ye said, after a moment of silence, the urgency of their situation pressing down on him despite his injuries. "About this 'bridge.' About what you are. And about what we're going to do. That 72-hour clock... it's still ticking."
Zero looked at him, her amber eyes reflecting the dim, flickering light of the cavern. She took a deep breath, as if steeling herself. "Alright, Lin Ye," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, yet carrying a new weight of resolve. "Ask what you need to know."