The Embergravves.

“The kingdom that was supposedly eradicated decades ago? That was such an odd part of history across the realm,” Thrukul looked up at the hollowed ceiling and said in reminiscence.

“Was that not the one under the jurisdiction of the Divine Lightning Empire?” Hazruk asked.

“You know nothing you brats! That was only on the surface known to the masses, but the Embergravves were actually independent of all outside forces and refused to bow down to anyone…even to a transcendental Empire like the Divine Lightning.”

“And the Empire just let that pass?”

“Yes.”

“How…could this be?”

“It went on for centuries or even more, if we believe the lost records otherwise,” Vandhrava said. “Until half a century ago, when a certain overly ambitious Emperor of the Goldbloods tried to subjugate them.”

“But they failed in the end,” he added in a mysterious tone. “And not just once.”

“Why have I…not heard any of this?” Rauk asked.