### Analyzing the Newest Prophecy in *Dune: Prophecy* Episode 2
The latest installment of *[Dune: Prophecy](https://mashable.com/article/dune-prophecy-review-hbo)* introduces a fresh and puzzling prophecy to decipher. This time, the cryptic declaration stems from Sister Lila (portrayed by Chloe Lea), a young initiate of *[the Sisterhood](https://mashable.com/article/dune-prophecy-why-isnt-the-sister-called-the-bene-gesserit-alison-schapker)* who courageously engages in the Agony long before she is truly prepared.
#### What Exactly is the Agony?
The Agony is a treacherous initiation where a Sister ingests the Water of Life, a toxic substance derived from *[infant sandworms](https://mashable.com/article/dune-part-two-sandworms-denis-villeneuve-interview)*. A Sister who has undergone extensive training can neutralize this poison within herself, accessing her ancestral memories and rising to the status of Reverend Mother. Fans familiar with the *Dune* lore may remember this process from *[Dune: Part Two](https://mashable.com/article/dune-part-two-review)*, where Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) successfully transformed the Water of Life, attaining the title of Reverend Mother among the Fremen.
However, failure to neutralize the poison leads to death, which is why novices like Lila generally eschew the ritual. So what compels Lila to take this perilous step?
#### Lila’s Link to the Sisterhood’s Originator
In Episode 2, we discover that Lila is a descendant of Mother Superior Raquella Berto-Anirul (Cathy Tyson), the progenitor of the Sisterhood. Raquella was the first to predict the catastrophic event known as *[Tiran-Arafel](https://mashable.com/article/dune-prophecy-tiran-arafel-meaning)*. The current Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) and her sibling, Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams), are convinced that if Lila can access her genetic memory and connect with Raquella, she may uncover vital insights to assist the Sisterhood in facing future trials.
#### Lila’s Prophecy: An Omen from History
Regrettably, the endeavor doesn’t go as planned. Despite her bravery, Lila is overtaken by the Water of Life. Just before her demise, she imparts a haunting prophecy—not from Raquella, but from Raquella’s granddaughter, Dorotea (Camilla Beeput). Speaking through Lila, Dorotea discloses:
*”The secret to the reckoning is one born twice. Once in blood. Once in spice. A revenant full of scars. A weapon born of war, on a path too short.”*
This enigmatic proclamation provokes an intriguing question: Who in *Dune: Prophecy* fits the profile of someone “born twice”?
#### Could Desmond Hart Be the Prophecy’s Key?
At this juncture, all indications seem to suggest Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel), a soldier with an enigmatic backstory. Like all individuals, Desmond was “born in blood,” but he also underwent a type of rebirth in the Arrakis deserts when a sandworm consumed him. Given that Arrakis is the sole source of the spice melange, and sandworms play a crucial role in spice creation, Desmond’s continued existence might be interpreted as a “birth in spice.” Furthermore, his scarred visage and soldier identity—a “weapon born of war”—are in line with the prophecy.
Nevertheless, the term “revenant” adds complexity. A revenant typically denotes someone who has returned from death. Might this imply that Desmond is more than he seems?
#### Is Desmond Hart a Ghola?
Within the *Dune* narrative, a ghola is a clone made from the tissue of a deceased individual. These creations, developed by the Bene Tleilaxu, significantly impact *[Dune Messiah](https://mashable.com/article/dune-part-two-jon-spaihts-interview-dune-messiah)* and subsequent chapters of Frank Herbert’s saga.
If Desmond is indeed a ghola, it’s plausible that the original Desmond died during the sandworm incident, and his remains were utilized to produce a ghola. This could potentially clarify his remarkable powers, such as his fire abilities, which may have evolved from genetic alterations during cloning.
#### A Misleading Clue or Genuine Significance?
Of course, this is all conjecture. Desmond might merely be as formidable as he asserts, and the prophecy could pertain to a completely different individual. For the time being, however, Desmond stands as the prime candidate.