Lena's mind was racing. Every move, every decision carried the weight of the entire galaxy. She had already sacrificed so much, but now it was clear—there were only two paths before her.The first: she could use the core's power to its fullest extent, obliterating the Rhytil before they even had a chance to attack. But that path would bring untold destruction—not just to her enemies, but to her allies and even herself. The power of the core was consuming, and each use brought her closer to losing her humanity.The second: she could try to find another way—a way to resist the pull of the core, to fight without it. But that would mean fighting a war with one hand tied behind her back, vulnerable to the Rhytil's full force. And with each passing day, the cost of that vulnerability grew higher."General Jorvik," Lena said, her voice cutting through the silence. "I'm not asking for your trust. But I need you to prepare for the worst. We may have to use the core. We may have to push it to its limits. But I need you to stay ready. This isn't just about our survival. It's about the survival of every living thing in this galaxy."Jorvik stared at her, his face a mixture of admiration and fear. "And if the core takes you, Lena?"She swallowed hard, her throat tight. "Then I'll be ready to make that sacrifice. But I'll make sure the galaxy lives on."