The Calm Before the Storm 1

The next day, the attack began.

The Alliance fleet surged forward, striking the Rhytil's supply lines with precision. But Lena's mind was elsewhere, consumed by the whisper of the core. She had committed herself to this path, but the question remained: how long could she keep herself intact while using it?

She watched from the command center as ships launched from the fleet, the first wave of attacks hitting their targets with lethal precision. The war was about to take a decisive turn, but as Lena observed the unfolding conflict, she couldn't shake the feeling that this would not be the victory she had hoped for.

The core was always there, waiting for its moment to seize control once again.

The aftermath of the initial strikes had been as brutal as expected, but Lena couldn't let herself fully appreciate the victories. As her officers reported in, the mission had been a success in terms of military strategy. The Rhytil supply lines had been crippled, and their reinforcements would be delayed for weeks. However, that wasn't enough. Not when the war was at its peak. Not when the core's influence was steadily pulling her deeper into a maelstrom of decisions she wasn't sure she could undo.

"We've gained the advantage for now," Tavon said as he approached Lena, his voice calm despite the fervor in the room. "But the Rhytil aren't going to let this slide. You know they'll retaliate with everything they have."

Lena didn't respond immediately. Her gaze lingered on the map in front of her, watching as the fleets continued to move into position for what would be a more complicated and dangerous phase of their campaign.

"I know," she finally said. "But we can't wait for them to take the initiative. We have to act."

Tavon studied her, his brows furrowing. "You're pushing yourself too hard, Lena. And not just physically, but mentally. I know the weight of this is crushing you, but you don't have to carry it alone."

His concern cut through her armor, but Lena hardened her heart against it. She couldn't afford weakness—not now. She had made a choice, and that choice had led them here. She wasn't going to back down, not even with the nagging feeling that the core's whispers were becoming louder.

"I don't have the luxury of giving up," she said. "We've come too far."

Tavon didn't argue, but she saw the resignation in his eyes. He knew she wouldn't be swayed.

Hours later, in the privacy of her quarters, Lena stood alone, staring at the core's glowing interface. The familiar pulse in her mind was almost like a heartbeat now, constant and undeniable. It was both terrifying and comforting in equal measure. She had used the core's power before, and each time, it made her feel like a different person—more focused, more capable, but also something else.

She stepped closer to the core's interface, her fingers grazing the cool surface. A surge of warmth flowed through her as she activated it, and the familiar hum of power filled the air. This time, though, she hesitated.

"What do I become if I keep using you?" she whispered to the core, as if expecting an answer. There was no verbal response, but she felt something shift within her—a kind of pull. A promise of more.

Her fingers hovered over the interface, but she pulled them back. She wasn't ready to give in completely—not yet. But every day, it became harder to resist.