The pressure was becoming unbearable. Lena walked the halls of the ship late at night, her thoughts consumed by the core's influence. It felt as though it was calling to her more and more, its energy pulsing through the very walls of the ship, urging her to give in. The temptation to tap into its full power was growing stronger, but so was the fear that she might lose herself entirely if she did."Why can't I just let go?" Lena whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the quiet corridor. She had always been a person of action, someone who made decisions and took charge. But now, every decision seemed clouded, every move felt like she was walking a tightrope between saving the galaxy and losing herself in the process.Elias had always been there for her, a constant support when the weight of her responsibilities grew too heavy. She had leaned on him before, but now she found herself hesitating. Could she truly trust him with the darkness that was beginning to take root inside her? Could he understand the lure of the core, the feeling that it was calling her to be more than human, more than she had ever been?Her mind drifted back to the earlier conversation with Elias. He had warned her, gently, that she couldn't carry this burden alone. But now, more than ever, she wondered if she could let anyone in. The core's power was isolating, making her feel as though she was becoming something… different.Just as her thoughts began to spiral, a familiar voice broke through the silence."Lena?"She turned to find Elias standing in the doorway of the hallway, his expression soft, yet filled with concern. He had a way of appearing when she needed him most, and despite the turmoil within her, a sense of relief washed over her at the sight of him."I'm afraid," Lena confessed, her voice trembling. "Afraid of what I might become. Afraid that the core is more than I can control."Elias stepped closer, his presence grounding her in a way she hadn't realized she needed. "I know you're afraid. But I also know you. You're stronger than you realize. And whatever happens, I'll be right here with you. We'll face it together."Lena felt a surge of gratitude, but also guilt. She knew he was right, and yet, the burden of the core was something she wasn't sure she could share, no matter how much she trusted him."You can't understand," she whispered, the words choking her. "The core... it's changing me. I don't even know who I am anymore.""You're still Lena," Elias said softly, his hand brushing against hers. "The same person who fought to get to this point. The same person who's never given up on the galaxy. Don't lose sight of that."Lena looked up at him, her heart heavy with the weight of the decision ahead. "I'm scared of what I'll have to do."Elias's grip tightened around her hand, a silent promise that no matter what happened, they would face it together.