Power recognizes power.

That much was universal.

Which explained why gods became uncomfortable around Ra.

At first, she didn't notice.

Who pays attention to gods acting strangely?

Especially when your schedule includes surgery, alien enforcement missions, and avoiding emotionally complicated men.

Normal stuff.

Then patterns emerged.

Ancient beings paused when she entered rooms.

Federation leaders monitored her missions.

Entire conversations stopped when her name appeared.

And suddenly, the impossible question appeared.

What if everyone knew something she didn't?

The answer arrived in the worst possible way.

A classified meeting.

Too much security.

Too much tension.

Too many powerful people pretending everything was normal.

Which immediately told Ra everything was absolutely not normal.

Then someone mentioned the prophecy.

The room changed.

Nobody smiled.

Nobody joked.

Nobody breathed comfortably.

And for the first time...

Fear appeared.

Not hers.

Theirs.

Because prophecies aren't frightening when they predict destruction.

They're frightening when they predict change.

Especially when that change has a name.

Ra.

Suddenly, every strange look made sense.

Every coincidence.

Every carefully controlled conversation.

Someone knew exactly who she was becoming.

And they were terrified she'd discover it too soon.

The realization should have scared her.

Instead?

It made her angry.

Because nobody likes learning they've been left out of their own story.

Least of all Ra.

Unfortunately, the truth waiting ahead was much larger than anyone realized.

Including her.

Especially her.

And somewhere across the galaxy...

Sovereign smiled.

As if he'd known this moment was coming all along.

Next week: The prophecy no one was supposed to show Ra.