A lightsaber battle occurred during the Galactic War, marking the ultimate showdown between Darth Baras and the newly appointed Emperor's Wrath.
The Sith Warrior, who would eventually become known as the Emperor's Wrath, was once Darth Baras' apprentice. Their viewpoints often clashed, a constant source of friction. As the Sith Warrior ascended to the rank of Lord of the Sith, Darth Baras' ambition for greater authority intensified. He devised a scheme to manipulate the position of Voice of the Emperor to elevate his own status. To achieve this, he needed to capture the actual Voice of the Emperor. If the Dark Council recognized him as the Voice, he would wield immense power over the Empire. Some Council members genuinely supported him, while others saw an opportunity in backing Baras, and those who opposed him were coerced through blackmail.
Furthermore, Baras attempted to eliminate his apprentice, fearing being overthrown. Lord Draahg tried to dispose of the apprentice's body on Quesh, but failed due to the intervention of the Emperor's Hand. The Hand transformed the Warrior into the Emperor's Wrath and deployed the Wrath on missions throughout the galaxy to sabotage Baras' efforts. On Belsavis, the Wrath defeated Darth Ekkage, Baras' sister, whose return would have bolstered support for his deception. The Wrath also liberated the true Voice on Voss and assisted Darth Vowrawn on Corellia in dismantling Baras' resources. With all hindrances to Baras removed and the Dark Lord weakened, the Wrath traveled to Korriban to confront him definitively.
Baras convened a special Council session to formally declare himself the Voice. Vowrawn facilitated the Wrath's arrival on Korriban and met with his ally in the antechamber leading to the Dark Council chamber. Upon entering, Baras impatiently inquired about Vowrawn's arrival. His former apprentice then revealed themselves as the Emperor's Wrath, publicly denouncing Baras as an imposter. Vowrawn corroborated the Wrath's claim, informing his fellow Dark Councilors that they had all been victims of Baras' deceit. In response, the master manipulator attempted to discredit their accusations, asserting to the Dark Council that the Wrath was merely Vowrawn's pawn. He then proclaimed that the Emperor would reveal Vowrawn's fate to him before requesting their assistance in destroying his former apprentice. The Wrath retorted by calling him a coward hiding behind the Council. While Darth Ravage was eager to comply with Baras' request, Darth Marr declared that as it was unclear who truly spoke for the Emperor, he decreed that both master and apprentice must duel before them. The victor would then be recognized as the true servant of the Emperor.
Baras and his former apprentice engaged in a fierce exchange of lightsaber attacks and Force abilities as they battled before the Dark Council. The Wrath appeared capable of neutralizing and withstanding every attempt by Baras to kill him. As the Wrath gradually weakened Baras, the deceptive Sith removed his mask. Baras emitted a harsh laugh and unleashed a continuous barrage of Force lightning at the Wrath, who deflected it with his lightsaber.
Baras mocked the Wrath, ridiculing his futile attempts at revenge. He then urged the Wrath to surrender and accept death. The Wrath responded that his death would also mean Baras' demise. The Wrath angrily redirected the lightning back at Baras with a flick of his lightsaber. Baras cried out in fury, and the duel continued. Consumed by rage, Baras transitioned to the Shien form, hoping to quickly end the fight against his apprentice. However, the Wrath proved more resilient against Baras' attacks and powers. When both combatants finally paused, the Wrath declared his Master exhausted and depleted. Baras attempted to summon a Force storm, but lacking the strength, he failed. He was left with two choices: confess to his deception or plead for mercy.
In desperation, he appealed to the Dark Council for assistance in killing the Wrath. He first addressed Marr, claiming that he would face the Emperor's displeasure, to which the masked Sith Lord replied that he was willing to risk it. Baras then turned to Ravage, one of the few who genuinely believed his claim, but the Dark Councilor refused to oppose the Emperor's Wrath. Abandoned, Baras taunted his former apprentice to kill him, vowing to strike from the shadows and exact his revenge one day.
The Wrath prepared to execute his former Master, but Baras screamed that he was invincible; undeterred, the Wrath impaled his former Master, ending his life. Darth Vowrawn, speaking on behalf of the Dark Council, acknowledged that the Emperor's Wrath had complete authority, answerable only to the Emperor himself. Marr concurred, but cautioned that the Wrath's actions would remain unchallenged as long as their supreme master's enforcer did not interfere with their plans. The Dark Council then pledged their allegiance to the new Emperor's Wrath, who departed Korriban to confront those who opposed the Sith Emperor.