Later that day, in the command center.

Lena addressed her inner circle, the officers and leaders who had remained loyal to her through every battle, every trial. She stood tall, her voice steady but edged with the tension of the decisions ahead.

"We have to act swiftly," she said, her eyes scanning the room, meeting the gazes of those who trusted her. "The traitors within the Alliance will not be allowed to sabotage our efforts. We will root them out, one by one, before they can do any more damage."

"What about the Rhytil?" Tavon asked. "We can't forget that they'll be upon us soon."

"I know," Lena replied. "We'll prepare for their counteroffensive, but our focus must remain on securing the Alliance. If we let it crumble, we'll be giving the Rhytil an open path to victory."

She paused, considering her next words carefully.

"The core… it offers a way to restore order. But we need to be careful. The more I rely on it, the more I lose myself." Her voice was barely audible, but every person in the room heard the vulnerability in it. "But we don't have a choice anymore."

Elias stepped forward, his eyes filled with concern. "Lena, we'll find another way. We have to."

But Lena was already shaking her head. "No. We'll use the core, but we'll do it on our terms. We'll take back control."

She looked around the room, meeting the eyes of each officer, her resolve hardening.

"Prepare for the storm ahead. The Rhytil won't wait. And the traitors within the Alliance will learn the consequences of betraying us."

As the officers filed out to execute her orders, Lena stood still, feeling the heavy weight of her decisions pressing down on her. The war was far from over, and the true cost of her choices was still to be paid.

She had made a decision. Now, all she could do was hope it would be enough.