Man in the Ark: Revitalizing Kazdel

Deep within the dark, silent abyss, scalding, crimson magma overflows from cracks in the earth's crust. Thick pipes continuously draw energy from the planet's depths, nourishing the Deep Blue Tree and the still-immature sea monsters.

Deep within the Blue Tree Laboratory, Friston stood before the sarcophagus facility, clicking on the control panel with his head down. Roy's magical clone and Lu's guardian sea spirit stood quietly by his side, waiting.

According to neurobiologist Friston's examination and diagnosis, Lu's central nervous system damage remained in the same state as when he was injured, under the influence of the sarcophagus static position, and there was no further deterioration.

If they could be transferred to a well-energy-rich sarcophagus, they could recover quickly through a pre-programmed treatment. Time was of the essence, so Roy informed the doctor and Precythia, and held a remote meeting with Friston, deciding to open the sarcophagus as soon as possible.

As Friston completed the final step, the sarcophagus, silent for millennia, trembled slightly. The black coffin lid opened from the center to the left and right, and as the thick, cold mist dissipated, a serene, pale sleeping face appeared before everyone.

Friston's consciousness within the mechanical body was quite surprised by the situation inside the coffin, but he did not show it on the spot.

Unlike Doctor and Precys, who were also former humans, Lu had long, snow-white hair that almost filled the bottom of the sarcophagus.

Roy lifted Lu from the stone coffin in his arms and, keeping a close watch on Hai Si, held up his long hair, which was long enough to reach the ground, to prevent the ends of his hair from getting dusty.

Roy nodded to Friston and stepped into the spatial rift first, followed closely by Friston, who appeared in the underground base where the sarcophagus was located in the blink of an eye.

The sarcophagus had been opened beforehand. After Lu was safely placed inside, Friston initiated the treatment procedure, leaving the rest to time. The guardian sea creature remained curled up beside the sarcophagus, awaiting the awakening of its creator.

"How long will it take to complete the treatment?" Roy approached Friston, who was lost in thought, and asked, looking at the sarcophagus.

"It is too early to draw a conclusion. The treatment time varies from person to person, and various rehabilitation exercises will be needed to recover to the level of a normal person."

"Okay, I understand. I'll tell the doctor and the others about Lu's situation. Mr. Friston has had a hard time lately, so please get some rest."

"Thank you, I'll make sure to get some rest." Friston nodded slightly, indicating that he accepted Roy's suggestion.

For Friston, who could endure millennia of solitude to protect his comrades, this level of workload was nothing. Moreover, with a comrade now needing constant care, he wouldn't allow himself to enter a dormant state anytime soon.

The magical clone, having completed its mission, vanished into the void as a shadow, disappearing without a trace. After confirming Roy's departure, Friston opened his hand, which had been hidden behind his back; a strand of snow-white hair stood out starkly against the metal of his palm.

This was a hair sample of Lu that he secretly took while Roy and the Guardian Hai Si weren't looking. In the pre-civilization era, Lu's hair wasn't white. Friston hoped to find out the reason for the change in hair color, so he secretly collected the sample.

“Lu, I’m sorry. I violated your genetic privacy. I will formally apologize to you when you wake up,” Friston murmured, stroking the stone coffin.

Guardian Hai Si glanced at the strange humanoid machine, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes, before quickly curling up again to continue sleeping.