Several years after the end of the great battle that was fought between the Empire and the Varden, Galbatorix and Eragon duel in a fierce, bloody battle that destroys one of the greatest Riders who has ever lived. Eragon Shadeslayer, the last bright hope of the free and enslaved peoples of Alagaesia, is slain after refusing to bend to Galbatorix's wishes. In a fury, Saphira kills Shruikan, Galbatorix's twisted black dragon. Knowing the dark lord will come after her with a seething, uncontainable madnees, she decides to perform one last task to complete her life. Fleeing to the deserted mountain Helgrind, Saphira takes her heart of hearts-her Eldunari-and sends the precious stone to a secret, distant location. She then sends Glaedr's Eldunari to the same place, sealing the fiery golden gem with her own. Saphira flies to a burning volcano and buries herself in its heart, believing there is nothing to live for now that her Rider is dead. She is able to sleep for a year, then the fire consumes her.
Realizing that his prize has escaped, Galbatorix kills Murtagh and Thorn; he steals the red dragon's heart of hearts, taking energy and wisdom from within the glowing ruby. Now believed to be truly unstoppable, Galbatorix receives no opposition when he proclaims himself Last Rider and The Dark Lord. A permanent darkness settles over Alagaesia; the elves and dwarves retreat to the farthest reaches of Alagaesia, mysterious places that event he dark king's vast powers can't reach.
The Dark Lord rules for many, many years, growing stronger as time passes. There ate no dragons eggs left and no one tries to rise against him. Galbatorix prospers, but his people suffer. They live in a dry, desolate, disease-and-death ridden land, but the king doesn't care. He would live to the end of time, with an endless supply of power, strength, and wisdom, stolen from the countless Eldunari of slain dragons. Someday he will be powerful enough to make was on the gods themselves.
Little does Galbatorix know that a new Rider will rise and bring the greatest battle Alagaesia has ever seen right to his doorstep.