Lena's hands trembled as she stared at the holographic interface before her. The stars of the galaxy glowed bright, untouched by the war, while she felt as if she were drowning in a darkness of her own making.The core had become a part of her, a part that whispered in her mind, urging her to tap into it, to use it again and again. Each time, the voice grew louder, more insistent. She could feel its power, its cold touch, like ice creeping beneath her skin. It wasn't just a tool anymore. It was a parasite, and it was feeding on her.You can't stop now, the voice whispered. If you want to save them, you need more power. You need to become more.Lena shut her eyes, squeezing them tightly as if she could block out the voice, block out the temptation. But the power thrummed within her like an unrelenting pulse, urging her forward, telling her that it was the only way. The galaxy's fate was in her hands, and yet the more she used the core, the more she feared she was losing herself.She had always prided herself on being strong, on being able to protect those she loved. But the more she relied on the core, the more she could feel her mind slipping away from her control. She could feel the darkness, a strange emptiness, slowly taking hold of her heart.What if I become the very thing I'm fighting against?The thought gnawed at her, and for the first time since this war began, she questioned whether she was making the right decisions. The Rhytil were already toying with her, pushing her toward the edge, and she feared that one more step would send her plummeting into the abyss.