The war room felt colder now, despite the heated debates swirling around Lena. The faces of the alliance's leaders, once united by their common goal, were now filled with suspicion and doubt. Lena felt the weight of their stares, each glance another unspoken question about her ability to lead."You need to make a decision, Lena," General Jorvik said, his voice hard. "The Rhytil are coming. And they won't stop until they have the core. We can't afford any more hesitation."Lena's grip tightened on the armrest of her chair. The core. Every day, it pulled at her more, whispering promises of unimaginable power. It was the key to victory, but also a potential source of destruction—not just for her, but for everyone she cared about. She could feel its power thrumming through her veins, its call growing stronger with each passing hour."I know," Lena replied, her voice quiet but resolute. "But I won't let the Rhytil have it. Not without a fight."A murmur spread through the room. There was a palpable tension in the air, as if everyone present knew that Lena's resolve was being tested to its breaking point. Even her closest allies, those who had supported her since the beginning, now questioned whether the cost of her power was too great.Admiral Vora was the first to speak, her voice calm but firm. "And what of the rest of us, Lena? We have our own worlds, our own people to protect. The core may give us strength, but it also makes us vulnerable. The more you use it, the more you risk losing control."Lena met her gaze, a flicker of doubt creeping into her mind. She had always trusted Admiral Vora, respected her wisdom. But Vora's words stung more than they should have. Was she truly risking everything? Was she sacrificing her very self for a chance at victory?"We don't have a choice," Lena said, her voice shaking with frustration. "The Rhytil won't stop. They'll destroy everything unless we act first. The core is the only weapon we have that can match their power."Jorvik scoffed. "And what happens when the core takes everything from you? What happens when you can't control it anymore?"Lena stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor as she stepped forward, her eyes burning with determination. "I will control it. I have to. For the galaxy."The room fell silent, the weight of her words hanging in the air. But inside, Lena's heart pounded. She didn't know if she could control it. The core was changing her, twisting her thoughts, making her more... disconnected from the people she cared about. Each use of its power felt like another step away from the woman she used to be.