For three and a half thousand years, the Empire has been ruled by the same man — or rather, creature, for during all this time Leto II has undergone a terrifying metamorphosis, turning into a sandworm. But this is a necessary sacrifice: only such a bodily form allows him to remain alive for thirty-five centuries and, moreover, to be considered a God. All this time he has used his political, religious, and economic power to secure humanity on the Golden Path.
An exclusively female army has been created — the so-called Fish Speakers. The grand ecological transformation of Arrakis is virtually complete — the planet now has rivers, lakes, and forests. Only the Fremen and the sandworms that produced the Spice are gone. The last desert is Sareer, where Leto II likes to spend his time. The Spacing Guild is on its knees, the Bene Gesserit are forced to accept the existing order. Ix cooperates with the Emperor. But there are rebels too, and, most surprisingly, they fit perfectly into Leto II’s mysterious plans. The Bene Tleilax breed countless Duncan Idaho gholas for the Emperor. Leto II himself is occupied, among other things, with his own genetic program. Siona Atreides is one link in it. And there is also Hwi Noree, Ix’s ambassador. How will they affect the fate of the God Emperor?