The next day, Lena was called to the alliance's war room for another briefing. As she entered, the mood was tense. Leaders from all factions were present, and the murmurs of dissent had reached a boiling point. It had become clear that the alliance was fracturing under the strain of war—and Lena's reliance on the core.General Jorvik was the first to speak, his voice gravely serious. "Commander, the factions are beginning to question your leadership. Some are openly calling for a new strategy, one that doesn't involve the core."Lena's heart sank, but she held her ground. "I'm doing what's necessary. The Rhytil are not going to wait around. If we don't act now, they will crush us.""I understand that," Jorvik said, his tone softened. "But the alliance is not just about military strength. It's about unity. And right now, there's a divide. The Gorr'Kai want an offensive, the Zenth are pulling back, and even the Kytari have been less than forthcoming with their resources. If this continues, we'll be fighting amongst ourselves, not the Rhytil."Lena nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "I know. But what choice do we have? The core is the only weapon strong enough to stop them."Zhen'ara, the leader of the Zenth, spoke up from the back of the room, her voice cool and calculating. "You're gambling with more than just the war, Commander. You're gambling with your soul."Lena's jaw clenched. "I'm not gambling with anything. I'm trying to save us all.""But at what cost?" Zhen'ara pressed. "If you lose yourself to the core, we won't have a commander to lead us. We'll be left with nothing but a machine."The room fell silent as the weight of Zhen'ara's words settled over them. Lena's heart raced, but she refused to let the doubt take root. "I will not lose myself," she said firmly, though the words felt hollow even to her own ears. "We will win this war. And we will do it together."Jorvik exchanged a glance with Zhen'ara, and then spoke again. "The alliance is at a crossroads, Lena. Your next decision will determine whether we stand united—or fall divided."