The Battle Looms

The days leading up to the battle felt like an eternity to Lena. Every decision she made, every command she issued, was weighed with the heavy knowledge that the outcome would shape the future of the galaxy. The Alliance was ready, but so were the Rhytil. The balance of power hung by a thread, and it would take everything Lena had to hold it steady.

She paced the war room, her eyes scanning the holographic map of the battlefield. The positions of their fleets, the planets they had fortified, the supply lines—it was all laid out before her, but it felt like it was too much to manage. The pressure was suffocating.

"We can't afford any missteps," Lena murmured, more to herself than anyone else. She glanced over at Tavon, who stood by the communications terminal, his eyes scanning the incoming reports. His steady presence was a comfort, though she could sense the tension in his shoulders.

Tavon met her gaze. "You've been at the forefront of this war from the beginning. The Alliance trusts you. They believe in you."

Lena shook her head. "I don't know if I believe in myself anymore." The words slipped out before she could stop them, and she immediately regretted showing such vulnerability in front of him. But Tavon didn't respond with pity. Instead, he stepped closer, his expression soft but firm.

"You don't have to do it all alone, Lena. You have us. And you have me. We're in this together."

Lena exhaled sharply, the weight of his words sinking deep within her. "I've been so focused on winning, I've forgotten what it means to truly lead—to inspire people. To fight for something greater than just survival." She paused, running a hand through her hair. "I've become too focused on the power of the core. I'm not sure what that makes me anymore."

Tavon placed a hand on her shoulder, offering a quiet reassurance. "You're still the Lena we've all followed. The one who believed in this cause and in the people around her. That's what matters."

Just then, a sharp beep from the communications terminal interrupted their moment. Tavon turned to the screen, his eyes narrowing as the report appeared.

"Commander Lena," a voice crackled through the speakers. It was Kellan, one of the Alliance's top strategists. "We've received intel on the Rhytil's movements. They've launched a full-scale assault. The main fleet is on its way, and we estimate they'll arrive in two days."

Lena's heart sank. "Understood. Prepare the fleet. We move out at once."