Surprise, I bet there's more than a few of you who thought this story was dead, so surprise! This is where I'd launch into huge detail trying to excuse myself for taking so long, I'm not, I'm just going to say technical difficulties.
Hopefully this chapter will start to make up for my absence. Enjoy! =)
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Darth Baras paced in the centre of the chamber; the dark council seated around him, although he wore his usual mask, his displeasure at the slow pace of the events was evident in his stiff stride.
Darth Nox sat in his usual chair beside Darth Marr who as always wore his inscrutable mask, Darth Ravage sat on the opposite side of the chamber seeming very pleased with himself Darth Morrtis sat beside him face calm and neutral, in fact the entire council was present, so to speak, some were being transmitted from the respective planets they were currently overseeing, Darth Decimus had already acknowledged Vakarian with a nod when he had joined the session. The only council member not present was Darth Vowrawn who was unusually late.
Vakarian leaned against the back of his chair, biting the inside of his cheek hoping his that the darkness of his hood would hide his expression from any observers. Sometimes Vakarian liked to simply send Darth seek in his place on the council when he was occupied elsewhere, but when the "Emperor's Voice" gave a call for the dark council to assemble you don't send an underling in your place unless you wanted a slow agonising death. Darth Nox himself remained sceptical towards Baras as the Emperor's Voice partly because Ravage supported and believed in Baras and partly because he didn't believe the Emperor was the one speaking at all. But no council member would ever be willing to go against the chosen Voice and risk the fury of the Emperor upon them.
Ravage looked at Vakarian again as the chambers silence continued unabated "Are you sure you can stand to be here still Nox? After the last councils meeting I was surprised that you still managed to retain your seat. What if you find out your togruta has grazed her knee?"
Vakarian felt his eyes begin to glow purple with anger but contained it within himself. Not this time Ravage the enraged sith thought. The entire assembled members of the council watched Vakarian waiting for his reply; only Baras seemed to ignore the squabble. "You know speaking of my TogrutaRavage, when she aided me in releasing the dread masters on Belsavis the dread masters turned to her and said that they could sense her power in the force and would become a powerful sith. When was the last time you spoke with the dread masters again?" the barb clearly caught Ravage off guard as he released a primal hiss of hate at Vakarian. Darth Decimus nodded in approval at Nox's retort as did Darth mortis. Many other council members held wicked smiles on their faces as Ravage was put down.
"Be careful Nox, I'm not some old man that can be crushed with a few sparks of lightning" Ravage spat
It was now Vakarian's turn to be pleased with himself, Ravage had rapidly lost his upper hand and now Vakarian held him on the verbal back foot. Vakarian opened his mouth to retort but another bet him to it.
"I believe Darth Nox's togrutan apprentice could is more powerful than you give her credit for. Navigating a planet such as Belsavis and releasing the dread masters are not accomplishments to be sneered upon Ravage." Darth Marr claimed. All the lords seated now held surprise and suspicion on there faces, the most surprised of course was Vakarian. Lord Vakarian had never had any personal dealings with Marr before aside from 'getting to know' his former apprentice Darth Lachris on Balmorra. For the one of the eldest council member to make such a statement shifted the balance of power within the dark council's power plays. While Marr may not have officially declared any affiliation with Darth Nox it was not a statement that could be easily ignored.
Ravage sank lower into his chair his eyes aflame with hate, his mind wheeling to try and process this new power trick. Though Vakarian's face didn't show it but he was just as disturbed with Marr's declaration as any other council member, there was nothing more to be done though, he would have to speak to Decimus or Darth Seek later on to evaluate this development there was no time to further pursue these thoughts as Darth Vowrawn walked through the chambers doors apparently oblivious to his lateness.
"That had better be Darth Vowrawn coming through those doors" Baras said his tone on borderline boredom, with his back turned away from the entrance the Emperor's Voice failed to notice a second figure stalk through the doors behind Vowrawn, Nox had sensed her power long before she had entered the chamber but had attributed the power to the dark side flowing from Korriban itself. Upon seeing her with his own eyes Vakarian's entire body tensed, his eyes widened with alarm, his fingers turned white as he dug them into the stone chair. What was she doing here? She was supposed to be dead? They told him she was dead! The sith pure-blooded woman did not notice Vakarian however, she had eyes only for Darth Baras, who still remained oblivious to her entrance into the chamber.
"Don't act like you weren't expecting this Baras" the woman growled.
"Interesting..." Darth Marr said his mask giving his Voice its usual robotic tone. Many other council members looked on with renewed interest.
Ravage was clearly still angry at Vakarian's reprisal but was quickly getting bored with this lord's interruption of council matters "This isn't the time for one of your games Vowrawn." Ravage spat out with a dismissive wave of his hand. Anger flared in Vakarian again at Ravage, it seemed that Ravage did not fully realize who this sith lord was and unlike the 'Emperor's Voice' this was the true figurehead of the Emperor. Darth Marr had been correct, this would be most interesting.
"I come on behalf of the Emperor for I am the Emperor's Wrath and I have come to silence the Emperor's false Voice!" the woman growled at Baras, her eyes never leaving Baras' back almost as if she was afraid he might disappear if she looked away, the lord clearly now had the full attention of all the members present as they leaned in closer with wicked grins and rapt attention. "One of us will not leave this chamber alive." this final challenge was slipped softly out of the Emperor's Wrath.
"You're right about that child." the emphasis on child caused the Emperor's Wraths hand to curl into a clenched fist and Vakarian's eyes to glow with rage. "My fellows," Baras began his charismatic Voice flowing easily into the ears of the seated council. "this is my former apprentice, no doubt you're acquainted with her defiance, she was unworthy of me so I excised her." Baras paused turning to both sides of the chamber ensuring all were listening "The Emperor will inform me of what is to done with Vowrawn," Vowrawn merely sneered at Baras as he proclaimed the Emperor would decide his fate, turning back to Darth Nox and Darth Marr the 'Voice' continued "for now assist me crushing this rabble."
Vakarian could not believe the nerve of Baras commanding the council to attack on his behalf if he really was the undisputed Voice of the Emperor he might have gained more support, but the fact that the Emperor's Wrath was disputing this caused many doubts. Clearly there were a number of other members that were in disapproval of Baras' cowardly tactics. Darth Decimus shook his head in disgust; Darth Mortis remained impassive though his fingers had curled into a fist on his chair arm. Clearly Wrath saw right through Baras' attempt to escape a fight "Don't try to hide behind the council you coward."
"Fine let us swat this gnat and be done with it." Ravage said with the same bored tone he had used before. Nox finally spoke up anger tainting his words as he spoke.
"Do not assume you speak for the entire council Ravage! How do we know the 'Emperor's Voice' is the Emperor speaking and not Baras? I believe we should stand with the true representative of the Emperor" the Emperor's Wrath's eyes finally left Baras' form and looked at Nox, her eyes clouded with confusion as this unknown member spoke up in her defence denouncing Baras and for possibly once in his life Vakarian felt a chill of fear go down his spine as Wrath observed him, Vowrawn however nodded appreciatively at Nox for his rebuttal but Ravage and Baras bore holes into the sith. The Wrath remained silent which Vakarian was grateful for, if she knew however...
"No." Marr spoke as he stood up from his chair. All eyes turned to the sith lord the chamber became silent. "Baras claims to be the Voice, this lord claims to be the Wrath, I refuse to provoke the Emperor, the one who lives speaks truth." Marr's declaration held a note of finality to it. While not completely pleased with this result Vakarian knew this was the best chance for Wrath to prove herself. Ravage sat across the chamber glaring at Nox for provoking this result.
"Fine." Baras said with a tone of resignation within his Voice "The master will grant the slaves last wish." Wraths hand curled into a fist yet again and her lips twisted into an animalistic snarl at the insult again "The Emperor calls for your death child. Attack me if you dare."
Wrath pulled her light sabre from her belt and ignited it. "I never was, nor will I ever be your slave!" she roared as she charged Baras a small twi-lek behind her stood still, worry creasing her face.
Baras was taken aback by the sudden charge but recovered with deadly speed drawing his own light sabre and catching Wraths body cut in the nick of time. The two sith stared each other down as their sabres held under the strength they were putting behind them, Voice and Wrath began their duel. Vakarian remained rigid in his chair there was a lot riding on this if he failed in his bid to support Wrath, the Voice would ensure that he was not forgiven for it.
Wrath disengaged from the lock and stood against Baras, before he had time to counter Wrath began a basic lightsaber sequence designed to keep Baras occupied, slash at his ribs, strike at his legs and a final chop at his head, all were blocked easily but at the final stage where upon a normal sith would complete the sequence Wrath followed up with a huge overhead slash at Baras, there was no technique behind the stroke other than pure power and force destined to demolish anything that was in its way, Baras knew there would be no way to block a blow like that so at the last moment before the blow cleaved his head in two he shifted his whole body so that the blow travelled inches past his whole body.
Wraths eyes widened as her lightsaber completely missed her former master and hit the floor before she could recompose herself Baras pressed his own sabre down on hers pinning it to the floor as Wrath moved her head to face Baras she was greeted with an elbow to her face, lights danced before her eyes as she lay on the cold floor attempting to refocus and reorientate herself, Baras raised his left hand and aimed it directly at Wraths chest, still dazed there was no way she would dodge anything he threw at her.
Until a knife sprouted in his hand. Although he was meant to be the Emperor's Voice Vakarian doubted that the Emperor would scream the way Baras did, Baras dropped his lightsaber and clutched his hand, his mask searched for the source of the knife and found a blue skinned twi-lek standing with two more in her hand ready to throw, a very defiant look in her eyes, the look that said I'm ready to die if need be.
"TRECHERY!" Ravage yelled almost jumping from his chair.
"Do not worry Ravage ill deal with the slave then the imposter." Baras hissed
Ravage slunk back into his chair, eyes watching like a Nexu, waiting for anyone to else to interfere, looking for an excuse to aid Baras.
The twi-lek raised her hand again ready to throw another knife Baras raised his undamaged hand and the twi-lek was taken off her feet, her eyes bulged, her feet kicking trying to reach the floor, her hand scratching at her throat trying to ease the pressure.
Suddenly there was a roar from behind Baras the Emperor's Wrath barrelled into Baras taking him and her to the floor, breaking his focus and releasing her friend, the twi-lek lay on the floor gasping. The Emperor's Wrath laid punch after punch into the helmet dinting the shiny surface. Eventually Baras managed to get hands in front of him and pushed, Wrath flew through the air and hit the chambers wall as she slid down Baras removed his devastated helmet, Vakarian was not easily repulsed he had seen it all when Darth Zash had revealed her true face to him, Baras face held the exact same corruption on it, Baras laughed manically at the figure as she slowly began to rise. Stretching out with his fingers he released a torrent of lightning at the sith lord, standing up just in time she caught the lightning on her sabre and held fast as Baras continued to pour his energy into destroying the Emperor's Wrath.
Vakarian's fingers dug deeper into the stone armrests his eyes remained unblinkingly watching the struggle continue. Although Vowrawn's face didn't show it he was clearly as anxious as Nox.
"Had enough child? Can you feel your grip on life slipping? Why persist in this futile gesture of vengeance? Let go embrace your death!" Baras shouted almost laughing
Wrath remained unperturbed however as she continued to hold her light sabre as it absorbed the barrage of energy shooting at it. "Forget this bravado Baras, no one here is buying it." the lord scoffed. Baras finally released his flow of lightning.
"Just being sporting child," Baras mocked again "your champion is failing Vowrawn and you'll be next!"
"Is that coming from you or from the Emperor Baras? It's getting rather hard to tell the difference." Vowrawn called back
"I agree Vowrawn, how do we begin to differentiate between the Emperor's Voice and Baras own? They're sounding very similar at the moment" Vakarian echoed, once again Vowrawn looked appreciatively at Vakarian, though the elder dark council member still did not know Nox's reasons for supporting the Emperor's Wrath.
"Don't mock me fops!" Baras screeched in a very un-Emperor's Voice way, he turned back towards his former apprentice "your patrons just insured your suffering would be epic youngster!"
Baras wasted no time in beginning the fight anew; reaching out with the force he picked up the exhausted twi-lek and threw her at Wrath. Wrath's eyes filled with fear as she held out both hands to slow her friend's path towards her. Wraths grunted from the effort it took but managed to wretch the twi-lek from her collision course and place her safely to the side. Turning back towards Baras her eyes were completely filled with undying rage now, seeing her former master attempt to kill one of her only friends, clearly Baras had unleashed something he had never foreseen.
Baras grinned at Wrath, swinging his sabre around him daring Wrath to charge, however Wrath did not do that, she leaned back and with all her strength threw her sabre at Baras, seeing a large man dive to the side was never what Vakarian had expected to see today but he was quite amused when he saw Baras move with speed thought lost years ago to dodge the thrown lightsaber. Wrath had leapt into the air the moment the sabre had left her hand as Baras dodged the blade she called it back into her hand, and with both hands gripping the sabre she came like a comet from the sky down to earth, Baras stumbled as the shockwave pushed him back several meters. Wrath leapt at Baras again this time not even a breath escaped her body as she pounded at her once all-powerful master.
The ferocity behind each strike was staggering the best Baras could do with his own gleaming red sabre was to deflect the strokes to the side, if he had tried to fully block even a single stroke there was no doubt he would crumble before the Emperor's Wrath, with a scream augmented by the force Baras was forced back a few for steps, there was no respite for the Emperor's Voice, as Baras was still stumbling he was not ready for the smashing strike that Wrath completed by pulverising Baras' lightsaber from his grasp, almost instinctively Baras raised his other hand and released a lightning stream, Wrath did not have time to react this time and the lightning caught her entire right side, she cried out in pain as the lightning arcs punctured straight through her armour scorching her skin, melting some parts of her armour and burning her flesh.
Wrath fell to one knee as the lightning continued unabated, through the pain Wrath was slowly raising her hand, at last it faced Baras, the force that caught Baras would have broken normal bones but Baras merely was forced off his feet and crunched against the wall.
Wrath stood slowly, Baras gave a snarl of rage as Wrath began running towards him, Baras unleashed another stream of lightning be far enough away this time Wrath dodged it, rolling to the side the lightning completely missed her, she continued running, as Baras raised his hands again she twisted into the air and pushed out with the force again, the push spun Baras 360 degrees, Wrath was getting closer, another lightning barrage, Baras' eyes widening in fear, this time Wrath caught the lightning on her lightsaber holding the arcs that sparked off it, she pushed with the force again, Baras was taken off his feet, but recovered instantly backwards somersaulting and landing on his feet, just in time as Wrath smashed onto the ground, Baras was fully taken into the air this time, and before he could recover Wrath kicked, the force wrapped around her foot as it impacted into the Voice, Baras was sent spiralling towards the roof.
The chamber shook as Baras crunched back into the floor and failed to move appearing satisfied, Wrath sheathed her sabre and stepped back from Baras "You are depleted Baras, you hover a breath away from destruction." Wrath goaded, while her Voice projected her confidence she seemed to be favouring one leg over the other, a cut upon her forehead continued to drip blood down the side of her head, not to mention the smoking remains of her once immaculate cape and armour and numerous scorch and burn marks that covered her right side.
Baras stood unsteadily and began to charge lightning between his hands to cast at the Wrath one last time, the lightning faltered, then flickered and then it was gone. "No my powers abandon me!" Vakarian finally exhaled, barely even realizing he had been holding his breath. Wrath was not done goading Baras though.
"Drink in the faces of your peers, see your disgrace reflected in there eyes." Wrath taunted.
"Humph," Baras dismissed Wraths taunt and limped to the seated dark council members, "I call upon the dark council to kill this child! Now! The Emperor commands it!" Baras was practically screaming now, the former Voice of the Emperor turned to Darth Marr, "Darth Marr! Strike on the Emperor's behalf, or suffer his disfavour!"
Darth Nox tensed, his hand grasped his light sabre but did not ignite the blade, Marr may have ruled in his favour before, but that would not necessarily mean he would again. "I believe I'll take my chances." the dark lord replied coldly, Darth Nox's hand relaxed on his sabre.
In the past Darth Baras mask had always hid his emotions from the numerous political opponents and the countless sith rivals, it had been no small advantage when battling someone, whether with words or a light sabre, but now for possibly once in his life Baras held fear on his withered face.
Wrath merely stood in the middle watching as Baras stalked over to the opposite side of the chamber, she did not stop him or say anything she merely stood arms crossed watching as her once great and powerful master now scurried around the chamber like a starving womp rat begging for scraps, she did not do anything this is what she had been waiting for and she would relish in it.
Baras now stood at the other side of the chamber his Voice completely tainted with fear and desperation "RAVAGE! Has your sense left you too? Defend me! Defend the Voice!" Ravage's eyes widened at the choice being presented to him. The cyborg's eyes flickered from Baras, to Wrath and finally resting on Vakarian. Darth Nox purposely slowly drew back his hood, so that Ravage could now see his fellow council members face in full, his face held a wicked grin and his eyes began to glow purple with power.
"Go on Ravage," Vakarian said in an extremely low and threatening tone "give me the chance, I dare you" Ravages eyes flickered once again from Vakarian to Wrath, to Baras and finally back to Nox, this time however they held a complete and pure form of anger and rage, his teeth clenched as he barely managed to spit out what he had to say out.
"I will not stand in the path of the Emperor's Wrath Baras."
Vakarian had to admit he was disappointed; apparently the former Voice of the Emperor had not finished his screeching to the council yet. "YOU THINK YOU'VE WON? YOU THINK YOU CAN SILENCE THE EMPEROR'S TRUE VOICE?" Wrath took it as her turn to reassert herself back into the events, she began slowly pacing towards Baras, sabre in hand but not ignited. "Deliver the death blow then! From beyond darkness I will strike at you! SOMEDAY VENGENCE WILL BE MINE!"
"That day is not today Baras." Vakarian called out smugly, as Ravage continued to glare at the sith with hate.
Wrath finally stood in front of Baras, the chamber fell completely silent as she addressed the council "No one dare stand in my way! Let this be a message to you all."
"I CANNOT BE STO-" Baras was cut short as Wraths light sabre now protruded from his stomach, whatever final words Baras whispered to Wrath in his final moments were for her ears alone. As she extinguished her sabre and Baras slid to the floor he was silent.
10 seconds passed before anyone said anything, at last Vowrawn spoke up, "Message heard loud and clear my friend." Vakarian found it somewhat amusing that it almost seemed as though Vowrawn was trying to subtly remind Wrath that Vowrawn was her ally. "You have proven that you are truly touched by the Emperor, the dark council now knows that the Emperor's Wrath has free reign."
Darth Marr spoke up again, his Voice forever containing its usual metallic tone. "You are acknowledged Wrath. Your actions will not be challenged as long as they do not contradict our own."
Vakarian finally decided to speak up if only to remind Wrath of his earlier support of her. "You are answerable only to our ultimate master." many council members looked at Vakarian confused as to when he learnt about the councils more intimate workings, Vakarian ignored the looks and made a mental note to reward Darth seek later. Darth Nox pulled his hood back on his head now that Ravage was subdued.
"Do not expect the status quo my lords, I will only assist the council as I see fit and as the Emperor demands." Wrath announced her Voice echoing off the stone walls. Vakarian grinned, she was good she would keep the more deceitful councillors honest; she was going to have a lot of enemies though.
"As you decree Wrath." Vowrawn said as he slowly stood up from chair. "Let the enemies of the empire tremble, The Emperor's Wrath shall consume them all!" Vowrawn bowed towards Wrath, then all council members, holo-gram and flesh alike, stood up from their individual thrones and bowed at the true Emperor's Wrath. Ravages face looked as though it was frozen in carbonate.
Wrath turned to the other side of the chamber; Darth Marr merely stood and bowed his head, Vakarian bowed deeply towards Wrath. He never would have guessed that he would ever be bowing to his daughter.
I sincerely hope you enjoy this chapter please please please review.
Please let me know what you thought only way this can get better is if you guys tell me!
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