Only one link survives with those tumultuous times: the grotesque figure of Leto Atreides, son of the prophet Paul Muad'Dib, and now the virtually immortal God Emperor of Dune. More than three thousand years have passed since the first events recorded in DUNE. The altered climate is destroying the giant sandworms, and this in turn is disastrous for the planet's economy. Old Paul Atreides, who led the desert Fremen to political and religious domination of the galaxy, is gone.īut for the children of Dune, the very blossoming of their land contains the seeds of its own destruction. The sand-blasted world of Arrakis has become green, watered and fertile. But as malevolent forces explode into conflict around him, Paul is thrust into a great destiny beyond his understanding. When stewardship of Arrakis is transferred to his house, Paul Atreides must travel to the planet's dangerous surface to ensure the future of his family and his people. And whoever controls the spice controls the universe. Whoever controls Arrakis controls the spice. And it can only be found on a single planet: the inhospitable desert world Arrakis. Melange, or 'spice', is the most valuable - and rarest - element in the universe.

Despite having become the most powerful emperor known to history, Paul is powerless to bring an end to the fighting. War has been brought to the entire known universe, and billions have already perished. Twelve years after his victory over House Harkonnen, Paul Atreides rules as emperor from the desert planet Arrakis - but his victory has had profound consequences.

Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert