While Kira and her faction worked tirelessly to understand the ancient technology, Lena and Elias found time to talk. The quiet moments between them were few and far between, but in these moments, their relationship had deepened in ways they hadn't expected.One evening, as they sat on a stone bench overlooking the strange, alien landscape of Zaltron, Lena turned to Elias. The warm, flickering glow of the underground facility's lights illuminated his face, casting shadows that made him seem even more intense, more determined."I don't know if I can do this without you," Lena admitted quietly, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "There's so much on my shoulders. The planet. The people. And now this… ancient technology. It's all too much."Elias turned toward her, his expression softening. "You're not alone, Lena. We're in this together. I've never once thought of turning back. You're stronger than you know. And I believe in you."Lena smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. It was rare for her to open up like this, to admit how scared she truly was. But with Elias, she didn't feel weak for doing so. Instead, she felt like she wasn't carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders alone."You make it sound so simple," she said, laughing softly.Elias chuckled. "Maybe it is simple. Sometimes, the hardest thing is just knowing you don't have to do everything by yourself."Lena reached for his hand, their fingers intertwining. "I don't know what the future holds, Elias. But I'm glad I have you by my side."For a moment, everything felt still. The dangers, the uncertainties, the weight of the impending battle—it all faded away in the quiet of that shared moment. They were two souls bound by a cause greater than themselves, and for the first time in a long while, Lena allowed herself to believe they might just be able to change the course of the world.