The Grand Staircase of the Royal Palace

(Thread Power Level: 2,700)

Glacia had walked for an hour or so through the wind whipped snows on her way to the ruins of the once grandiose and opulent Royal Palace. The entire city was a ruin of near total desolation. Towering spires had been razed low to the ground, once great buildings sat as little more than burned out husks. Entire city blocks turned to abject ruins, Glacia found the sight painful to bear witness to. She could have flown to find shelter in one of the ruins, though she preferred walking. The Kold Demon had burned through much of her Ki flying in her space pod once it ran dangerously low on fuel, and she preferred not to exhaust herself further. Carrying the large spherical craft overhead was considerably easier than carrying it as she walking slowly through the desolate streets. Little life stirred in what remained of the once opulent capital city, save for a few native creatures that hide among the rubble and cowered at the sight of the Kold Demon.

A flash of movement had Glacia setting down her pod in the snow, turning to face the unseen creature. Her telepathy flared and she felt the mind of a feeble creature. It’s Power Level so abysmally low, almost unrecognizably so. Her cold crimson eyes kept watchful vigil on the nearest snowbank, waiting for a flash of movement. Then with the flick of her tail Glacia slammed the appendage to the ground, causing snow and ice to fall from the sides of the building at the rumbling the impact left from her force. A large blue lizard, almost two feet long with a crested horn darted out, zipping through the snow and running on all fours. Glacia sneered and darted out, flying towards it in a blinding burst of speed. Her Ki flaring as she lunged forward, tail extending to wrap tight around the creature’s neck.

It thrashed and clawed, desperate to get free. The reptile struggled to no avail, finally opening its mouth to sink its fangs deep in the muscle of Glacia’s tail. She yelped in pain, quickly squeezing the toil tight and snapping the creature’s neck. It relaxed its jaw, flailing several times in the Kold Demon’s vice grip before going limp as it died. Glacia sneered, hoisting her tail close to her face to inspect the bite. The teeth hadn’t even broken the skin, the pitiful lizard couldn’t even properly defend itself. Not that the bite wasn’t a touch sensitive and throbbingly slightly from the bite. “Stupid welp.” Glacia said under her breath, still holding the limp body of her prey clutched tight in her tail. She turned back to walk towards her space pod, alright a light dusting of snow covered its top. “Now you’re dead and I’m still here, some miserable life you had.” She said with a chuckle, hoisting the lizard’s body close to her mouth.

Glacia hoisted the space pod back up above her head, holding it palmed with one hand as she balanced it above herself. The held the corpse of the slain snow lizard close at hand and leaned out to take a bite of it, sinking her teeth deep into its flesh. It’s body was still warm, and the taste was salty yet delectable. The meat succulent and rich, warm fluids dripping down Glacia’s delicate chin as she chewed. She swallowed the lump of raw meat after chewing for several seconds, her long purple tongue licking her lips. “It’s been too long since I’ve had one of these. They aren’t half bad served raw.” The Kold Demoness chuckled as she took another bite, all the while walking slowly down the abandoned city streets towards the ruins of the Royal Palace. The remnants of the once towering megalithic structure looming high over the spires of the city. The walk was dreadfully silent, no other life seemed to walk the frozen streets. Glacia preferred it that way, at least it gave her more time to think, and to reflect.

As the Kold Demon traveled at her leisurely pace, she ate greedily from the body of her slain prey. Mouth after rich mouthful of succulent meat, her maw was covered in blood and fluids by the time she had finished. The lizard’s skeleton held together by mere tendons, most of it’s less desirable organs wretched out and tossed aside to freeze in the snow. Glacia let go of the remnants of the body, listening to it fall to the ground with a dull plop. Her hand moved to wipe the viscera from her mouth, followed by one last lick of her lips. The stairs of the Royal Palace loomed in the distance, just at the far side of the grand plaza. Once a bustling heart of the vibrant city, it was now as dead and cold as the rest of the planet. Glacia stepped forward in the empty square, looking at the remnants of statues both destroyed and untouched. Each and every one depicting the great Kold Demons of the past, the mighty rulers and ruthless kings of history immemorium.

It was such a strange feeling for Glacia, to the only one walking the great plaza as the wind whipped past her, blowing the fresh fallen snow. When she had been young she remembered the plaza alive with trade, thousands of Kold Demons passing through as they went about their day. Perhaps someday soon that would once more be the case. Perhaps, by her hand. Glacia came to the edge of the Ten Thousand Steps, looking up the massive marble monolith that rose a thousand feet into the sky. Each step carved from a singular chunk of marble in an era long before most of the universe’s races were young. It filled Glacia with pride just to look upon them, even in spite of their condition. The once grand steps now markedly less so, the wounds of a great war clear upon its face. Large chunks had been blown from the steps by powerful Ki attacks, and the impact of clashing fists and warring bodies. Glacia took the first step, counting them in her head as she walked. “One…” It would be a long climb.

“Two… three… four… five… six… seven… eight… nine… ten… eleven… twelve… thirteen… fourteen… fifteen… seventeen… eighteen… nineteen… twenty…” She counted each and every step of the climb, as was tradition. It was an act of celebration, remembrance, and reverence for those ancestors she sought to venerate and to remember. While Glacia could easily fly the thousands of step in only a few brief minutes, walking them like her distant kinsmen filled her with great purpose and an unending sense of pride. “Twenty one… twenty two… twenty three… twenty four… twenty five… twenty six… twenty seven… twenty eight… twenty nine… thirty… thirty one… thirty two… thirty three… thirty four… thirty five… thirty six… thirty seven… thirty eight… thirty nine… forty… forty one… forty two… forty three… forty four… forty five… forty six… forty seven… forty eight… forty nine… fifty… fifty one… fifty two… fifty three… fifty four… fifty five… fifty six… fifty seven… fifty eight… fifty nine… sixty… sixty one… sixty two… sixty three… sixty four… sixty five… sixty six… sixty seven… sixty eight… sixty nine… seventy… seventy one… seventy two… seventy three… seventy four… seventy five… seventy six… seventy seven… seventy eight… seventy nine… eighty… eighty one… eighty two… eighty three… eighty four… eighty five… eighty six… eighty seven… eighty eight… eighty nine… ninety… eighty… ninety one… ninety two… ninety three… ninety four… ninety five… ninety six… ninety seven… ninety eight… ninety nine… one hundred…”

Each step a memento of some great deed unspoken, carved by the finest Kold Demon artisan as thousands toiled to construct the Royal Palace for the first Kold Emperor so many millennia ago. Now only a few million remained, their empire withered to dust. A tragedy beyond imagination, though one their enemies would claim they brought upon themselves. Glacia clenched her jaw, her black heart filling with hatred for her foes. They would pay, each and every one of them. They would all suffer one by one. Bend the knee, or be destroyed. There would be no surrender, no quarter, no mercy. That was her promise, she only hoped it did not ultimately prove a foolish one to make.

“One hundred and one… one hundred and two… one hundred and three… one hundred and four… one hundred and five… one hundred and six… one hundred and seven… one hundred and eight… one hundred and nine… one hundred and ten… one hundred and eleven… one hundred and twelve… one hundred and thirteen… one hundred and fourteen… one hundred and fifteen… one hundred and seventeen… one hundred and eighteen… one hundred and nineteen… one hundred and twenty… one hundred and twenty one… one hundred and twenty two… one hundred and twenty three… one hundred and twenty four… one hundred and twenty five… one hundred and twenty six… one hundred and twenty seven… one hundred and twenty eight… one hundred and twenty nine… one hundred and thirty… one hundred and thirty one… one hundred and thirty two… one hundred and thirty three… one hundred and thirty four… one hundred and thirty five… one hundred and thirty six… one hundred and thirty seven… one hundred and thirty eight… one hundred and thirty nine… one hundred and forty… one hundred and forty one… one hundred and forty two… one hundred and forty three… one hundred and forty four… one hundred and forty five… one hundred and forty six… one hundred and forty seven… one hundred and forty eight… one hundred and forty nine… one hundred and fifty… one hundred and fifty one… one hundred and fifty two… one hundred and fifty three… one hundred and fifty four… one hundred and fifty five… one hundred and fifty six… one hundred and fifty seven… one hundred and fifty eight… one hundred and fifty nine… one hundred and sixty… one hundred and sixty one… one hundred and sixty two… one hundred and sixty three… one hundred and sixty four… one hundred and sixty five… one hundred and sixty six… one hundred and sixty seven… one hundred and sixty eight… one hundred and sixty nine… one hundred and seventy… one hundred and seventy one… one hundred and seventy two… one hundred and seventy three… one hundred and seventy four… one hundred and seventy five… one hundred and seventy six… one hundred and seventy seven… one hundred and seventy eight… one hundred and seventy nine… one hundred and eighty… one hundred and eighty one… one hundred and eighty two… one hundred and eighty three… one hundred and eighty four… one hundred and eighty five… one hundred and eighty six… one hundred and eighty seven… one hundred and eighty eight… one hundred and eighty nine… one hundred and ninety… one hundred and eighty… one hundred and ninety one… one hundred and ninety two… one hundred and ninety three… one hundred and ninety four… one hundred and ninety five… one hundred and ninety six… one hundred and ninety seven… one hundred and ninety eight… one hundred and ninety nine… two hundred…”

Glacia paused to look up at the vastness of the staircase left before her, it was hauntingly beautiful, encrusted with a shimmering layer of ice like it had been carved from pure crustal. Her three toed feet clung tight to each step, unhindered by the cold in the slightest as she walked. A building layer of snow gathered on the Kold Demon’s pauldrons as she walked, and atop her space pod as she held it aloft in the air. It did not matter, what mattered was reaching the throne deep within the Royal Palace, if it still remained at all. She would rebuild this structure, grander and larger than it had ever been. She would make Kold Planet No.01 great again, no matter the cost. Glacia had many missions, and she would fulfill them all. No matter what resources they took, or how many years they lasted. She could live to be a thousand… more if she could somehow recover the fabled dragonballs. Maybe some day she could, and ask the almighty dragon for a wish. But, it was best not to worry on wishes and chances, better to focus on the present before her.

“Two hundred and one… two hundred and two… two hundred and three… two hundred and four… two hundred and five… two hundred and six… two hundred and seven… two hundred and eight… two hundred and nine… two hundred and ten… two hundred and eleven… two hundred and twelve… two hundred and thirteen… two hundred and fourteen… two hundred and fifteen… two hundred and seventeen… two hundred and eighteen… two hundred and nineteen… two hundred and twenty… two hundred and twenty one… two hundred and twenty two… two hundred and twenty three… two hundred and twenty four… two hundred and twenty five… two hundred and twenty six… two hundred and twenty seven… two hundred and twenty eight… two hundred and twenty nine… two hundred and thirty… two hundred and thirty one… two hundred and thirty two… two hundred and thirty three… two hundred and thirty four… two hundred and thirty five… two hundred and thirty six… two hundred and thirty seven… two hundred and thirty eight… two hundred and thirty nine… two hundred and forty… two hundred and forty one… two hundred and forty two… two hundred and forty three… two hundred and forty four… two hundred and forty five… two hundred and forty six… two hundred and forty seven… two hundred and forty eight… two hundred and forty nine… two hundred and fifty… two hundred and fifty one… two hundred and fifty two… two hundred and fifty three… two hundred and fifty four… two hundred and fifty five… two hundred and fifty six… two hundred and fifty seven… two hundred and fifty eight… two hundred and fifty nine… two hundred and sixty… two hundred and sixty one… two hundred and sixty two… two hundred and sixty three… two hundred and sixty four… two hundred and sixty five… two hundred and sixty six… two hundred and sixty seven… two hundred and sixty eight… two hundred and sixty nine… two hundred and seventy… two hundred and seventy one… two hundred and seventy two… two hundred and seventy three… two hundred and seventy four… two hundred and seventy five… two hundred and seventy six… two hundred and seventy seven… two hundred and seventy eight… two hundred and seventy nine… two hundred and eighty… two hundred and eighty one… two hundred and eighty two… two hundred and eighty three… two hundred and eighty four… two hundred and eighty five… two hundred and eighty six… two hundred and eighty seven… two hundred and eighty eight… two hundred and eighty nine… two hundred and ninety… two hundred and eighty… two hundred and ninety one… two hundred and ninety two… two hundred and ninety three… two hundred and ninety four… two hundred and ninety five… two hundred and ninety six… two hundred and ninety seven… two hundred and ninety eight… two hundred and ninety nine… three hundred…”

Every step was another promise, another memory relived. They flashed through Glacia’s mind like visions of lives she’d never lived. She swore she could feel it, being defeated by the one called Bardock. Watching him attain that legendary power before easily besting her ancestor Chilled. Holding young Frieza in her arms as Cooler looked down at his baby brother, feeling his terrible power even in his infancy. Then feeling the blade of the one called Trunks as it rended through King Kold’s body, before being piercing through the heart by a deadly Ki blast and eviscerated beyond all shadow of a doubt. Watching through Cooler’s eyes as he assumed his fifth form, more powerful than a Super Saiyan, and nearly destroying earth with his ultimate attack. Only to be bested when he was driven into the sun itself by an unstoppable attack. Glacia shook her head, continuing her journey as she tried to wipe the visions from her mind.

“Three hundred and one… three hundred and two… three hundred and three… three hundred and four… three hundred and five… three hundred and six… three hundred and seven… three hundred and eight… three hundred and nine… three hundred and ten… three hundred and eleven… three hundred and twelve… three hundred and thirteen… three hundred and fourteen… three hundred and fifteen… three hundred and seventeen… three hundred and eighteen… three hundred and nineteen… three hundred and twenty… three hundred and twenty one… three hundred and twenty two… three hundred and twenty three… three hundred and twenty four… three hundred and twenty five… three hundred and twenty six… three hundred and twenty seven… three hundred and twenty eight… three hundred and twenty nine… three hundred and thirty… three hundred and thirty one… three hundred and thirty two… three hundred and thirty three… three hundred and thirty four… three hundred and thirty five… three hundred and thirty six… three hundred and thirty seven… three hundred and thirty eight… three hundred and thirty nine… three hundred and forty… three hundred and forty one… three hundred and forty two… three hundred and forty three… three hundred and forty four… three hundred and forty five… three hundred and forty six… three hundred and forty seven… three hundred and forty eight… three hundred and forty nine… three hundred and fifty… three hundred and fifty one… three hundred and fifty two… three hundred and fifty three… three hundred and fifty four… three hundred and fifty five… three hundred and fifty six… three hundred and fifty seven… three hundred and fifty eight… three hundred and fifty nine… three hundred and sixty… three hundred and sixty one… three hundred and sixty two… three hundred and sixty three… three hundred and sixty four… three hundred and sixty five… three hundred and sixty six… three hundred and sixty seven… three hundred and sixty eight… three hundred and sixty nine… three hundred and seventy… three hundred and seventy one… three hundred and seventy two… three hundred and seventy three… three hundred and seventy four… three hundred and seventy five… three hundred and seventy six… three hundred and seventy seven… three hundred and seventy eight… three hundred and seventy nine… three hundred and eighty… three hundred and eighty one… three hundred and eighty two… three hundred and eighty three… three hundred and eighty four… three hundred and eighty five… three hundred and eighty six… three hundred and eighty seven… three hundred and eighty eight… three hundred and eighty nine… three hundred and ninety… three hundred and eighty… three hundred and ninety one… three hundred and ninety two… three hundred and ninety three… three hundred and ninety four… three hundred and ninety five… three hundred and ninety six… three hundred and ninety seven… three hundred and ninety eight… three hundred and ninety nine… four hundred…”

“Four hundred and one… four hundred and two… four hundred and three… four hundred and four… four hundred and five… four hundred and six… four hundred and seven… four hundred and eight… four hundred and nine… four hundred and ten… four hundred and eleven… four hundred and twelve… four hundred and thirteen… four hundred and fourteen… four hundred and fifteen… four hundred and seventeen… four hundred and eighteen… four hundred and nineteen… four hundred and twenty… four hundred and twenty one… four hundred and twenty two… four hundred and twenty three… four hundred and twenty four… four hundred and twenty five… four hundred and twenty six… four hundred and twenty seven… four hundred and twenty eight… four hundred and twenty nine… four hundred and thirty… four hundred and thirty one… four hundred and thirty two… four hundred and thirty three… four hundred and thirty four… four hundred and thirty five… four hundred and thirty six… four hundred and thirty seven… four hundred and thirty eight… four hundred and thirty nine… four hundred and forty… four hundred and forty one… four hundred and forty two… four hundred and forty three… four hundred and forty four… four hundred and forty five… four hundred and forty six… four hundred and forty seven… four hundred and forty eight… four hundred and forty nine… four hundred and fifty… four hundred and fifty one… four hundred and fifty two… four hundred and fifty three… four hundred and fifty four… four hundred and fifty five… four hundred and fifty six… four hundred and fifty seven… four hundred and fifty eight… four hundred and fifty nine… four hundred and sixty… four hundred and sixty one… four hundred and sixty two… four hundred and sixty three… four hundred and sixty four… four hundred and sixty five… four hundred and sixty six… four hundred and sixty seven… four hundred and sixty eight… four hundred and sixty nine… four hundred and seventy… four hundred and seventy one… four hundred and seventy two… four hundred and seventy three… four hundred and seventy four… four hundred and seventy five… four hundred and seventy six… four hundred and seventy seven… four hundred and seventy eight… four hundred and seventy nine… four hundred and eighty… four hundred and eighty one… four hundred and eighty two… four hundred and eighty three… four hundred and eighty four… four hundred and eighty five… four hundred and eighty six… four hundred and eighty seven… four hundred and eighty eight… four hundred and eighty nine… four hundred and ninety… four hundred and eighty… four hundred and ninety one… four hundred and ninety two… four hundred and ninety three… four hundred and ninety four… four hundred and ninety five… four hundred and ninety six… four hundred and ninety seven… four hundred and ninety eight… four hundred and ninety nine… five hundred…”

“Five hundred and one… five hundred and two… five hundred and three… five hundred and four… five hundred and five… five hundred and six… five hundred and seven… five hundred and eight… five hundred and nine… five hundred and ten… five hundred and eleven… five hundred and twelve… five hundred and thirteen… five hundred and fourteen… five hundred and fifteen… five hundred and seventeen… five hundred and eighteen… five hundred and nineteen… five hundred and twenty… five hundred and twenty one… five hundred and twenty two… five hundred and twenty three… five hundred and twenty four… five hundred and twenty five… five hundred and twenty six… five hundred and twenty seven… five hundred and twenty eight… five hundred and twenty nine… five hundred and thirty… five hundred and thirty one… five hundred and thirty two… five hundred and thirty three… five hundred and thirty four… five hundred and thirty five… five hundred and thirty six… five hundred and thirty seven… five hundred and thirty eight… five hundred and thirty nine… five hundred and forty… five hundred and forty one… five hundred and forty two… five hundred and forty three… five hundred and forty four… five hundred and forty five… five hundred and forty six… five hundred and forty seven… five hundred and forty eight… five hundred and forty nine… five hundred and fifty… five hundred and fifty one… five hundred and fifty two… five hundred and fifty three… five hundred and fifty four… five hundred and fifty five… five hundred and fifty six… five hundred and fifty seven… five hundred and fifty eight… five hundred and fifty nine… five hundred and sixty… five hundred and sixty one… five hundred and sixty two… five hundred and sixty three… five hundred and sixty four… five hundred and sixty five… five hundred and sixty six… five hundred and sixty seven… five hundred and sixty eight… five hundred and sixty nine… five hundred and seventy… five hundred and seventy one… five hundred and seventy two… five hundred and seventy three… five hundred and seventy four… five hundred and seventy five… five hundred and seventy six… five hundred and seventy seven… five hundred and seventy eight… five hundred and seventy nine… five hundred and eighty… five hundred and eighty one… five hundred and eighty two… five hundred and eighty three… five hundred and eighty four… five hundred and eighty five… five hundred and eighty six… five hundred and eighty seven… five hundred and eighty eight… five hundred and eighty nine… five hundred and ninety… five hundred and eighty… five hundred and ninety one… five hundred and ninety two… five hundred and ninety three… five hundred and ninety four… five hundred and ninety five… five hundred and ninety six… five hundred and ninety seven… five hundred and ninety eight… five hundred and ninety nine… six hundred…”

“Six hundred and one… six hundred and two… six hundred and three… six hundred and four… six hundred and five… six hundred and six… six hundred and seven… six hundred and eight… six hundred and nine… six hundred and ten… six hundred and eleven… six hundred and twelve… six hundred and thirteen… six hundred and fourteen… six hundred and fifteen… six hundred and seventeen… six hundred and eighteen… six hundred and nineteen… six hundred and twenty… six hundred and twenty one… six hundred and twenty two… six hundred and twenty three… six hundred and twenty four… six hundred and twenty five… six hundred and twenty six… six hundred and twenty seven… six hundred and twenty eight… six hundred and twenty nine… six hundred and thirty… six hundred and thirty one… six hundred and thirty two… six hundred and thirty three… six hundred and thirty four… six hundred and thirty five… six hundred and thirty six… six hundred and thirty seven… six hundred and thirty eight… six hundred and thirty nine… six hundred and forty… six hundred and forty one… six hundred and forty two… six hundred and forty three… six hundred and forty four… six hundred and forty five… six hundred and forty six… six hundred and forty seven… six hundred and forty eight… six hundred and forty nine… six hundred and fifty… six hundred and fifty one… six hundred and fifty two… six hundred and fifty three… six hundred and fifty four… six hundred and fifty five… six hundred and fifty six… six hundred and fifty seven… six hundred and fifty eight… six hundred and fifty nine… six hundred and sixty… six hundred and sixty one… six hundred and sixty two… six hundred and sixty three… six hundred and sixty four… six hundred and sixty five… six hundred and sixty six… six hundred and sixty seven… six hundred and sixty eight… six hundred and sixty nine… six hundred and seventy… six hundred and seventy one… six hundred and seventy two… six hundred and seventy three… six hundred and seventy four… six hundred and seventy five… six hundred and seventy six… six hundred and seventy seven… six hundred and seventy eight… six hundred and seventy nine… six hundred and eighty… six hundred and eighty one… six hundred and eighty two… six hundred and eighty three… six hundred and eighty four… six hundred and eighty five… six hundred and eighty six… six hundred and eighty seven… six hundred and eighty eight… six hundred and eighty nine… six hundred and ninety… six hundred and eighty… six hundred and ninety one… six hundred and ninety two… six hundred and ninety three… six hundred and ninety four… six hundred and ninety five… six hundred and ninety six… six hundred and ninety seven… six hundred and ninety eight… six hundred and ninety nine… six hundred…”

“Seven hundred and one… seven hundred and two… seven hundred and three… seven hundred and four… seven hundred and five… seven hundred and six… seven hundred and seven… seven hundred and eight… seven hundred and nine… seven hundred and ten… seven hundred and eleven… seven hundred and twelve… seven hundred and thirteen… seven hundred and fourteen… seven hundred and fifteen… seven hundred and seventeen… seven hundred and eighteen… seven hundred and nineteen… seven hundred and twenty… seven hundred and twenty one… seven hundred and twenty two… seven hundred and twenty three… seven hundred and twenty four… seven hundred and twenty five… seven hundred and twenty six… seven hundred and twenty seven… seven hundred and twenty eight… seven hundred and twenty nine… seven hundred and thirty… seven hundred and thirty one… seven hundred and thirty two… seven hundred and thirty three… seven hundred and thirty four… seven hundred and thirty five… seven hundred and thirty six… seven hundred and thirty seven… seven hundred and thirty eight… seven hundred and thirty nine… seven hundred and forty… seven hundred and forty one… seven hundred and forty two… seven hundred and forty three… seven hundred and forty four… seven hundred and forty five… seven hundred and forty six… seven hundred and forty seven… seven hundred and forty eight… seven hundred and forty nine… seven hundred and fifty… seven hundred and fifty one… seven hundred and fifty two… seven hundred and fifty three… seven hundred and fifty four… seven hundred and fifty five… seven hundred and fifty six… seven hundred and fifty seven… seven hundred and fifty eight… seven hundred and fifty nine… seven hundred and sixty… seven hundred and sixty one… seven hundred and sixty two… seven hundred and sixty three… seven hundred and sixty four… seven hundred and sixty five… seven hundred and sixty six… seven hundred and sixty seven… seven hundred and sixty eight… seven hundred and sixty nine… seven hundred and seventy… seven hundred and seventy one… seven hundred and seventy two… seven hundred and seventy three… seven hundred and seventy four… seven hundred and seventy five… seven hundred and seventy six… seven hundred and seventy seven… seven hundred and seventy eight… seven hundred and seventy nine… seven hundred and eighty… seven hundred and eighty one… seven hundred and eighty two… seven hundred and eighty three… seven hundred and eighty four… seven hundred and eighty five… seven hundred and eighty six… seven hundred and eighty seven… seven hundred and eighty eight… seven hundred and eighty nine… seven hundred and ninety… seven hundred and eighty… seven hundred and ninety one… seven hundred and ninety two… seven hundred and ninety three… seven hundred and ninety four… seven hundred and ninety five… seven hundred and ninety six… seven hundred and ninety seven… seven hundred and ninety eight… seven hundred and ninety nine… eight hundred…”

“Eight hundred and one… eight hundred and two… eight hundred and three… eight hundred and four… eight hundred and five… eight hundred and six… eight hundred and seven… eight hundred and eight… eight hundred and nine… eight hundred and ten… eight hundred and eleven… eight hundred and twelve… eight hundred and thirteen… eight hundred and fourteen… eight hundred and fifteen… eight hundred and seventeen… eight hundred and eighteen… eight hundred and nineteen… eight hundred and twenty… eight hundred and twenty one… eight hundred and twenty two… eight hundred and twenty three… eight hundred and twenty four… eight hundred and twenty five… eight hundred and twenty six… eight hundred and twenty seven… eight hundred and twenty eight… eight hundred and twenty nine… eight hundred and thirty… eight hundred and thirty one… eight hundred and thirty two… eight hundred and thirty three… eight hundred and thirty four… eight hundred and thirty five… eight hundred and thirty six… eight hundred and thirty seven… eight hundred and thirty eight… eight hundred and thirty nine… eight hundred and forty… eight hundred and forty one… eight hundred and forty two… eight hundred and forty three… eight hundred and forty four… eight hundred and forty five… eight hundred and forty six… eight hundred and forty seven… eight hundred and forty eight… eight hundred and forty nine… eight hundred and fifty… eight hundred and fifty one… eight hundred and fifty two… eight hundred and fifty three… eight hundred and fifty four… eight hundred and fifty five… eight hundred and fifty six… eight hundred and fifty seven… eight hundred and fifty eight… eight hundred and fifty nine… eight hundred and sixty… eight hundred and sixty one… eight hundred and sixty two… eight hundred and sixty three… eight hundred and sixty four… eight hundred and sixty five… eight hundred and sixty six… eight hundred and sixty seven… eight hundred and sixty eight… eight hundred and sixty nine… eight hundred and seventy… eight hundred and seventy one… eight hundred and seventy two… eight hundred and seventy three… eight hundred and seventy four… eight hundred and seventy five… eight hundred and seventy six… eight hundred and seventy seven… eight hundred and seventy eight… eight hundred and seventy nine… eight hundred and eighty… eight hundred and eighty one… eight hundred and eighty two… eight hundred and eighty three… eight hundred and eighty four… eight hundred and eighty five… eight hundred and eighty six… eight hundred and eighty seven… eight hundred and eighty eight… eight hundred and eighty nine… eight hundred and ninety… eight hundred and eighty… eight hundred and ninety one… eight hundred and ninety two… eight hundred and ninety three… eight hundred and ninety four… eight hundred and ninety five… eight hundred and ninety six… eight hundred and ninety seven… eight hundred and ninety eight… eight hundred and ninety nine… nine hundred…”

“Nine hundred and one… nine hundred and two… nine hundred and three… nine hundred and four… nine hundred and five… nine hundred and six… nine hundred and seven… nine hundred and eight… nine hundred and nine… nine hundred and ten… nine hundred and eleven… nine hundred and twelve… nine hundred and thirteen… nine hundred and fourteen… nine hundred and fifteen… nine hundred and seventeen… nine hundred and eighteen… nine hundred and nineteen… nine hundred and twenty… nine hundred and twenty one… nine hundred and twenty two… nine hundred and twenty three… nine hundred and twenty four… nine hundred and twenty five… nine hundred and twenty six… nine hundred and twenty seven… nine hundred and twenty eight… nine hundred and twenty nine… nine hundred and thirty… nine hundred and thirty one… nine hundred and thirty two… nine hundred and thirty three… nine hundred and thirty four… nine hundred and thirty five… nine hundred and thirty six… nine hundred and thirty seven… nine hundred and thirty eight… nine hundred and thirty nine… nine hundred and forty… nine hundred and forty one… nine hundred and forty two… nine hundred and forty three… nine hundred and forty four… nine hundred and forty five… nine hundred and forty six… nine hundred and forty seven… nine hundred and forty eight… nine hundred and forty nine… nine hundred and fifty… nine hundred and fifty one… nine hundred and fifty two… nine hundred and fifty three… nine hundred and fifty four… nine hundred and fifty five… nine hundred and fifty six… nine hundred and fifty seven… nine hundred and fifty eight… nine hundred and fifty nine… nine hundred and sixty… nine hundred and sixty one… nine hundred and sixty two… nine hundred and sixty three… nine hundred and sixty four… nine hundred and sixty five… nine hundred and sixty six… nine hundred and sixty seven… nine hundred and sixty eight… nine hundred and sixty nine… nine hundred and seventy… nine hundred and seventy one… nine hundred and seventy two… nine hundred and seventy three… nine hundred and seventy four… nine hundred and seventy five… nine hundred and seventy six… nine hundred and seventy seven… nine hundred and seventy eight… nine hundred and seventy nine… nine hundred and eighty… nine hundred and eighty one… nine hundred and eighty two… nine hundred and eighty three… nine hundred and eighty four… nine hundred and eighty five… nine hundred and eighty six… nine hundred and eighty seven… nine hundred and eighty eight… nine hundred and eighty nine… nine hundred and ninety… nine hundred and eighty… nine hundred and ninety one… nine hundred and ninety two… nine hundred and ninety three… nine hundred and ninety four… nine hundred and ninety five… nine hundred and ninety six… nine hundred and ninety seven… nine hundred and ninety eight… nine hundred and ninety nine…”

“One Thousand!” Glacia paused to rest as she reached the thousandth step of the Grand Staircase. She found herself panting heavily, her arm growing sore from holding up her space pod as she traveled. The Kold Demoness found a suitable crater and set down her space pod in the damage to the steps. Kneeling to lie against it she allowed herself a breath moment of rest. Her tail moved to wipe away the snow from the step, revealing the silver layer beneath. “Good.” She thought. “I counted correctly.” Every thousandth step was carved of silver sapphire, the rarest metallic gemstone on the planet. Nigh indestructible and glittering like a million stars in the dim winter light. “I am one tenth of the way to my destination, and traveling these feels going further than flying across all of space itself.” Glacia rolled her shoulders, the feeling coming back into her right arm. She hoisted the space pod up with her left, deciding to switch up limbs for the next leg of the journey. With rekindled resolve Glacia continued her journey. “I suppose that is the weight of purpose.” She mused, taking the next step. “One thousand and one…”

“One thousand and two… one thousand and three… one thousand and four… one thousand and five… one thousand and six… one thousand and seven… one thousand and eight… one thousand and nine… one thousand and ten… one thousand and eleven… one thousand and twelve… one thousand and thirteen… one thousand and fourteen… one thousand and fifteen… one thousand and seventeen… one thousand and eighteen… one thousand and nineteen… one thousand and twenty… one thousand and twenty one… one thousand and twenty two… one thousand and twenty three… one thousand and twenty four… one thousand and twenty five… one thousand and twenty six… one thousand and twenty seven… one thousand and twenty eight… one thousand and twenty nine… one thousand and thirty… one thousand and thirty one… one thousand and thirty two… one thousand and thirty three… one thousand and thirty four… one thousand and thirty five… one thousand and thirty six… one thousand and thirty seven… one thousand and thirty eight… one thousand and thirty nine… one thousand and forty… one thousand and forty one… one thousand and forty two… one thousand and forty three… one thousand and forty four… one thousand and forty five… one thousand and forty six… one thousand and forty seven… one thousand and forty eight… one thousand and forty nine… one thousand and fifty… one thousand and fifty one… one thousand and fifty two… one thousand and fifty three… one thousand and fifty four… one thousand and fifty five… one thousand and fifty six… one thousand and fifty seven… one thousand and fifty eight… one thousand and fifty nine… one thousand and sixty… one thousand and sixty one… one thousand and sixty two… one thousand and sixty three… one thousand and sixty four… one thousand and sixty five… one thousand and sixty six… one thousand and sixty seven… one thousand and sixty eight… one thousand and sixty nine… one thousand and seventy… one thousand and seventy one… one thousand and seventy two… one thousand and seventy three… one thousand and seventy four… one thousand and seventy five… one thousand and seventy six… one thousand and seventy seven… one thousand and seventy eight… one thousand and seventy nine… one thousand and eighty… one thousand and eighty one… one thousand and eighty two… one thousand and eighty three… one thousand and eighty four… one thousand and eighty five… one thousand and eighty six… one thousand and eighty seven… one thousand and eighty eight… one thousand and eighty nine… one thousand and ninety… one thousand and eighty… one thousand and ninety one… one thousand and ninety two… one thousand and ninety three… one thousand and ninety four… one thousand and ninety five… one thousand and ninety six… one thousand and ninety seven… one thousand and ninety eight… one thousand and ninety nine… two thousand…”

“Two thousand and one… two thousand and two… two thousand and three… two thousand and four… two thousand and five… two thousand and six… two thousand and seven… two thousand and eight… two thousand and nine… two thousand and ten… two thousand and eleven… two thousand and twelve… two thousand and thirteen… two thousand and fourteen… two thousand and fifteen… two thousand and seventeen… two thousand and eighteen… two thousand and nineteen… two thousand and twenty… two thousand and twenty one… two thousand and twenty two… two thousand and twenty three… two thousand and twenty four… two thousand and twenty five… two thousand and twenty six… two thousand and twenty seven… two thousand and twenty eight… two thousand and twenty nine… two thousand and thirty… two thousand and thirty one… two thousand and thirty two… two thousand and thirty three… two thousand and thirty four… two thousand and thirty five… two thousand and thirty six… two thousand and thirty seven… two thousand and thirty eight… two thousand and thirty nine… two thousand and forty… two thousand and forty one… two thousand and forty two… two thousand and forty three… two thousand and forty four… two thousand and forty five… two thousand and forty six… two thousand and forty seven… two thousand and forty eight… two thousand and forty nine… two thousand and fifty… two thousand and fifty one… two thousand and fifty two… two thousand and fifty three… two thousand and fifty four… two thousand and fifty five… two thousand and fifty six… two thousand and fifty seven… two thousand and fifty eight… two thousand and fifty nine… two thousand and sixty… two thousand and sixty one… two thousand and sixty two… two thousand and sixty three… two thousand and sixty four… two thousand and sixty five… two thousand and sixty six… two thousand and sixty seven… two thousand and sixty eight… two thousand and sixty nine… two thousand and seventy… two thousand and seventy one… two thousand and seventy two… two thousand and seventy three… two thousand and seventy four… two thousand and seventy five… two thousand and seventy six… two thousand and seventy seven… two thousand and seventy eight… two thousand and seventy nine… two thousand and eighty… two thousand and eighty one… two thousand and eighty two… two thousand and eighty three… two thousand and eighty four… two thousand and eighty five… two thousand and eighty six… two thousand and eighty seven… two thousand and eighty eight… two thousand and eighty nine… two thousand and ninety… two thousand and eighty… two thousand and ninety one… two thousand and ninety two… two thousand and ninety three… two thousand and ninety four… two thousand and ninety five… two thousand and ninety six… two thousand and ninety seven… two thousand and ninety eight… two thousand and ninety nine… three thousand…”

“Three thousand and one… three thousand and two… three thousand and three… three thousand and four… three thousand and five… three thousand and six… three thousand and seven… three thousand and eight… three thousand and nine… three thousand and ten… three thousand and eleven… three thousand and twelve… three thousand and thirteen… three thousand and fourteen… three thousand and fifteen… three thousand and seventeen… three thousand and eighteen… three thousand and nineteen… three thousand and twenty… three thousand and twenty one… three thousand and twenty two… three thousand and twenty three… three thousand and twenty four… three thousand and twenty five… three thousand and twenty six… three thousand and twenty seven… three thousand and twenty eight… three thousand and twenty nine… three thousand and thirty… three thousand and thirty one… three thousand and thirty two… three thousand and thirty three… three thousand and thirty four… three thousand and thirty five… three thousand and thirty six… three thousand and thirty seven… three thousand and thirty eight… three thousand and thirty nine… three thousand and forty… three thousand and forty one… three thousand and forty two… three thousand and forty three… three thousand and forty four… three thousand and forty five… three thousand and forty six… three thousand and forty seven… three thousand and forty eight… three thousand and forty nine… three thousand and fifty… three thousand and fifty one… three thousand and fifty two… three thousand and fifty three… three thousand and fifty four… three thousand and fifty five… three thousand and fifty six… three thousand and fifty seven… three thousand and fifty eight… three thousand and fifty nine… three thousand and sixty… three thousand and sixty one… three thousand and sixty two… three thousand and sixty three… three thousand and sixty four… three thousand and sixty five… three thousand and sixty six… three thousand and sixty seven… three thousand and sixty eight… three thousand and sixty nine… three thousand and seventy… three thousand and seventy one… three thousand and seventy two… three thousand and seventy three… three thousand and seventy four… three thousand and seventy five… three thousand and seventy six… three thousand and seventy seven… three thousand and seventy eight… three thousand and seventy nine… three thousand and eighty… three thousand and eighty one… three thousand and eighty two… three thousand and eighty three… three thousand and eighty four… three thousand and eighty five… three thousand and eighty six… three thousand and eighty seven… three thousand and eighty eight… three thousand and eighty nine… three thousand and ninety… three thousand and eighty… three thousand and ninety one… three thousand and ninety two… three thousand and ninety three… three thousand and ninety four… three thousand and ninety five… three thousand and ninety six… three thousand and ninety seven… three thousand and ninety eight… three thousand and ninety nine… four thousand…”

“Four thousand and one… four thousand and two… four thousand and three… four thousand and four… four thousand and five… four thousand and six… four thousand and seven… four thousand and eight… four thousand and nine… four thousand and ten… four thousand and eleven… four thousand and twelve… four thousand and thirteen… four thousand and fourteen… four thousand and fifteen… four thousand and seventeen… four thousand and eighteen… four thousand and nineteen… four thousand and twenty… four thousand and twenty one… four thousand and twenty two… four thousand and twenty three… four thousand and twenty four… four thousand and twenty five… four thousand and twenty six… four thousand and twenty seven… four thousand and twenty eight… four thousand and twenty nine… four thousand and thirty… four thousand and thirty one… four thousand and thirty two… four thousand and thirty three… four thousand and thirty four… four thousand and thirty five… four thousand and thirty six… four thousand and thirty seven… four thousand and thirty eight… four thousand and thirty nine… four thousand and forty… four thousand and forty one… four thousand and forty two… four thousand and forty three… four thousand and forty four… four thousand and forty five… four thousand and forty six… four thousand and forty seven… four thousand and forty eight… four thousand and forty nine… four thousand and fifty… four thousand and fifty one… four thousand and fifty two… four thousand and fifty three… four thousand and fifty four… four thousand and fifty five… four thousand and fifty six… four thousand and fifty seven… four thousand and fifty eight… four thousand and fifty nine… four thousand and sixty… four thousand and sixty one… four thousand and sixty two… four thousand and sixty three… four thousand and sixty four… four thousand and sixty five… four thousand and sixty six… four thousand and sixty seven… four thousand and sixty eight… four thousand and sixty nine… four thousand and seventy… four thousand and seventy one… four thousand and seventy two… four thousand and seventy three… four thousand and seventy four… four thousand and seventy five… four thousand and seventy six… four thousand and seventy seven… four thousand and seventy eight… four thousand and seventy nine… four thousand and eighty… four thousand and eighty one… four thousand and eighty two… four thousand and eighty three… four thousand and eighty four… four thousand and eighty five… four thousand and eighty six… four thousand and eighty seven… four thousand and eighty eight… four thousand and eighty nine… four thousand and ninety… four thousand and eighty… four thousand and ninety one… four thousand and ninety two… four thousand and ninety three… four thousand and ninety four… four thousand and ninety five… four thousand and ninety six… four thousand and ninety seven… four thousand and ninety eight… four thousand and ninety nine… five thousand…”

“Five thousand and one… five thousand and two… five thousand and three… five thousand and four… five thousand and five… five thousand and six… five thousand and seven… five thousand and eight… five thousand and nine… five thousand and ten… five thousand and eleven… five thousand and twelve… five thousand and thirteen… five thousand and fourteen… five thousand and fifteen… five thousand and seventeen… five thousand and eighteen… five thousand and nineteen… five thousand and twenty… five thousand and twenty one… five thousand and twenty two… five thousand and twenty three… five thousand and twenty four… five thousand and twenty five… five thousand and twenty six… five thousand and twenty seven… five thousand and twenty eight… five thousand and twenty nine… five thousand and thirty… five thousand and thirty one… five thousand and thirty two… five thousand and thirty three… five thousand and thirty four… five thousand and thirty five… five thousand and thirty six… five thousand and thirty seven… five thousand and thirty eight… five thousand and thirty nine… five thousand and forty… five thousand and forty one… five thousand and forty two… five thousand and forty three… five thousand and forty four… five thousand and forty five… five thousand and forty six… five thousand and forty seven… five thousand and forty eight… five thousand and forty nine… five thousand and fifty… five thousand and fifty one… five thousand and fifty two… five thousand and fifty three… five thousand and fifty four… five thousand and fifty five… five thousand and fifty six… five thousand and fifty seven… five thousand and fifty eight… five thousand and fifty nine… five thousand and sixty… five thousand and sixty one… five thousand and sixty two… five thousand and sixty three… five thousand and sixty four… five thousand and sixty five… five thousand and sixty six… five thousand and sixty seven… five thousand and sixty eight… five thousand and sixty nine… five thousand and seventy… five thousand and seventy one… five thousand and seventy two… five thousand and seventy three… five thousand and seventy four… five thousand and seventy five… five thousand and seventy six… five thousand and seventy seven… five thousand and seventy eight… five thousand and seventy nine… five thousand and eighty… five thousand and eighty one… five thousand and eighty two… five thousand and eighty three… five thousand and eighty four… five thousand and eighty five… five thousand and eighty six… five thousand and eighty seven… five thousand and eighty eight… five thousand and eighty nine… five thousand and ninety… five thousand and eighty… five thousand and ninety one… five thousand and ninety two… five thousand and ninety three… five thousand and ninety four… five thousand and ninety five… five thousand and ninety six… five thousand and ninety seven… five thousand and ninety eight… five thousand and ninety nine… six thousand…”

“Six thousand and one… six thousand and two… six thousand and three… six thousand and four… six thousand and five… six thousand and six… six thousand and seven… six thousand and eight… six thousand and nine… six thousand and ten… six thousand and eleven… six thousand and twelve… six thousand and thirteen… six thousand and fourteen… six thousand and fifteen… six thousand and seventeen… six thousand and eighteen… six thousand and nineteen… six thousand and twenty… six thousand and twenty one… six thousand and twenty two… six thousand and twenty three… six thousand and twenty four… six thousand and twenty five… six thousand and twenty six… six thousand and twenty seven… six thousand and twenty eight… six thousand and twenty nine… six thousand and thirty… six thousand and thirty one… six thousand and thirty two… six thousand and thirty three… six thousand and thirty four… six thousand and thirty five… six thousand and thirty six… six thousand and thirty seven… six thousand and thirty eight… six thousand and thirty nine… six thousand and forty… six thousand and forty one… six thousand and forty two… six thousand and forty three… six thousand and forty four… six thousand and forty five… six thousand and forty six… six thousand and forty seven… six thousand and forty eight… six thousand and forty nine… six thousand and fifty… six thousand and fifty one… six thousand and fifty two… six thousand and fifty three… six thousand and fifty four… six thousand and fifty five… six thousand and fifty six… six thousand and fifty seven… six thousand and fifty eight… six thousand and fifty nine… six thousand and sixty… six thousand and sixty one… six thousand and sixty two… six thousand and sixty three… six thousand and sixty four… six thousand and sixty five… six thousand and sixty six… six thousand and sixty seven… six thousand and sixty eight… six thousand and sixty nine… six thousand and seventy… six thousand and seventy one… six thousand and seventy two… six thousand and seventy three… six thousand and seventy four… six thousand and seventy five… six thousand and seventy six… six thousand and seventy seven… six thousand and seventy eight… six thousand and seventy nine… six thousand and eighty… six thousand and eighty one… six thousand and eighty two… six thousand and eighty three… six thousand and eighty four… six thousand and eighty five… six thousand and eighty six… six thousand and eighty seven… six thousand and eighty eight… six thousand and eighty nine… six thousand and ninety… six thousand and eighty… six thousand and ninety one… six thousand and ninety two… six thousand and ninety three… six thousand and ninety four… six thousand and ninety five… six thousand and ninety six… six thousand and ninety seven… six thousand and ninety eight… six thousand and ninety nine… six thousand…”

“Seven thousand and one… seven thousand and two… seven thousand and three… seven thousand and four… seven thousand and five… seven thousand and six… seven thousand and seven… seven thousand and eight… seven thousand and nine… seven thousand and ten… seven thousand and eleven… seven thousand and twelve… seven thousand and thirteen… seven thousand and fourteen… seven thousand and fifteen… seven thousand and seventeen… seven thousand and eighteen… seven thousand and nineteen… seven thousand and twenty… seven thousand and twenty one… seven thousand and twenty two… seven thousand and twenty three… seven thousand and twenty four… seven thousand and twenty five… seven thousand and twenty six… seven thousand and twenty seven… seven thousand and twenty eight… seven thousand and twenty nine… seven thousand and thirty… seven thousand and thirty one… seven thousand and thirty two… seven thousand and thirty three… seven thousand and thirty four… seven thousand and thirty five… seven thousand and thirty six… seven thousand and thirty seven… seven thousand and thirty eight… seven thousand and thirty nine… seven thousand and forty… seven thousand and forty one… seven thousand and forty two… seven thousand and forty three… seven thousand and forty four… seven thousand and forty five… seven thousand and forty six… seven thousand and forty seven… seven thousand and forty eight… seven thousand and forty nine… seven thousand and fifty… seven thousand and fifty one… seven thousand and fifty two… seven thousand and fifty three… seven thousand and fifty four… seven thousand and fifty five… seven thousand and fifty six… seven thousand and fifty seven… seven thousand and fifty eight… seven thousand and fifty nine… seven thousand and sixty… seven thousand and sixty one… seven thousand and sixty two… seven thousand and sixty three… seven thousand and sixty four… seven thousand and sixty five… seven thousand and sixty six… seven thousand and sixty seven… seven thousand and sixty eight… seven thousand and sixty nine… seven thousand and seventy… seven thousand and seventy one… seven thousand and seventy two… seven thousand and seventy three… seven thousand and seventy four… seven thousand and seventy five… seven thousand and seventy six… seven thousand and seventy seven… seven thousand and seventy eight… seven thousand and seventy nine… seven thousand and eighty… seven thousand and eighty one… seven thousand and eighty two… seven thousand and eighty three… seven thousand and eighty four… seven thousand and eighty five… seven thousand and eighty six… seven thousand and eighty seven… seven thousand and eighty eight… seven thousand and eighty nine… seven thousand and ninety… seven thousand and eighty… seven thousand and ninety one… seven thousand and ninety two… seven thousand and ninety three… seven thousand and ninety four… seven thousand and ninety five… seven thousand and ninety six… seven thousand and ninety seven… seven thousand and ninety eight… seven thousand and ninety nine… eight thousand…”

“Eight thousand and one… eight thousand and two… eight thousand and three… eight thousand and four… eight thousand and five… eight thousand and six… eight thousand and seven… eight thousand and eight… eight thousand and nine… eight thousand and ten… eight thousand and eleven… eight thousand and twelve… eight thousand and thirteen… eight thousand and fourteen… eight thousand and fifteen… eight thousand and seventeen… eight thousand and eighteen… eight thousand and nineteen… eight thousand and twenty… eight thousand and twenty one… eight thousand and twenty two… eight thousand and twenty three… eight thousand and twenty four… eight thousand and twenty five… eight thousand and twenty six… eight thousand and twenty seven… eight thousand and twenty eight… eight thousand and twenty nine… eight thousand and thirty… eight thousand and thirty one… eight thousand and thirty two… eight thousand and thirty three… eight thousand and thirty four… eight thousand and thirty five… eight thousand and thirty six… eight thousand and thirty seven… eight thousand and thirty eight… eight thousand and thirty nine… eight thousand and forty… eight thousand and forty one… eight thousand and forty two… eight thousand and forty three… eight thousand and forty four… eight thousand and forty five… eight thousand and forty six… eight thousand and forty seven… eight thousand and forty eight… eight thousand and forty nine… eight thousand and fifty… eight thousand and fifty one… eight thousand and fifty two… eight thousand and fifty three… eight thousand and fifty four… eight thousand and fifty five… eight thousand and fifty six… eight thousand and fifty seven… eight thousand and fifty eight… eight thousand and fifty nine… eight thousand and sixty… eight thousand and sixty one… eight thousand and sixty two… eight thousand and sixty three… eight thousand and sixty four… eight thousand and sixty five… eight thousand and sixty six… eight thousand and sixty seven… eight thousand and sixty eight… eight thousand and sixty nine… eight thousand and seventy… eight thousand and seventy one… eight thousand and seventy two… eight thousand and seventy three… eight thousand and seventy four… eight thousand and seventy five… eight thousand and seventy six… eight thousand and seventy seven… eight thousand and seventy eight… eight thousand and seventy nine… eight thousand and eighty… eight thousand and eighty one… eight thousand and eighty two… eight thousand and eighty three… eight thousand and eighty four… eight thousand and eighty five… eight thousand and eighty six… eight thousand and eighty seven… eight thousand and eighty eight… eight thousand and eighty nine… eight thousand and ninety… eight thousand and eighty… eight thousand and ninety one… eight thousand and ninety two… eight thousand and ninety three… eight thousand and ninety four… eight thousand and ninety five… eight thousand and ninety six… eight thousand and ninety seven… eight thousand and ninety eight… eight thousand and ninety nine… nine thousand…”

“Nine thousand and one… nine thousand and two… nine thousand and three… nine thousand and four… nine thousand and five… nine thousand and six… nine thousand and seven… nine thousand and eight… nine thousand and nine… nine thousand and ten… nine thousand and eleven… nine thousand and twelve… nine thousand and thirteen… nine thousand and fourteen… nine thousand and fifteen… nine thousand and seventeen… nine thousand and eighteen… nine thousand and nineteen… nine thousand and twenty… nine thousand and twenty one… nine thousand and twenty two… nine thousand and twenty three… nine thousand and twenty four… nine thousand and twenty five… nine thousand and twenty six… nine thousand and twenty seven… nine thousand and twenty eight… nine thousand and twenty nine… nine thousand and thirty… nine thousand and thirty one… nine thousand and thirty two… nine thousand and thirty three… nine thousand and thirty four… nine thousand and thirty five… nine thousand and thirty six… nine thousand and thirty seven… nine thousand and thirty eight… nine thousand and thirty nine… nine thousand and forty… nine thousand and forty one… nine thousand and forty two… nine thousand and forty three… nine thousand and forty four… nine thousand and forty five… nine thousand and forty six… nine thousand and forty seven… nine thousand and forty eight… nine thousand and forty nine… nine thousand and fifty… nine thousand and fifty one… nine thousand and fifty two… nine thousand and fifty three… nine thousand and fifty four… nine thousand and fifty five… nine thousand and fifty six… nine thousand and fifty seven… nine thousand and fifty eight… nine thousand and fifty nine… nine thousand and sixty… nine thousand and sixty one… nine thousand and sixty two… nine thousand and sixty three… nine thousand and sixty four… nine thousand and sixty five… nine thousand and sixty six… nine thousand and sixty seven… nine thousand and sixty eight… nine thousand and sixty nine… nine thousand and seventy… nine thousand and seventy one… nine thousand and seventy two… nine thousand and seventy three… nine thousand and seventy four… nine thousand and seventy five… nine thousand and seventy six… nine thousand and seventy seven… nine thousand and seventy eight… nine thousand and seventy nine… nine thousand and eighty… nine thousand and eighty one… nine thousand and eighty two… nine thousand and eighty three… nine thousand and eighty four… nine thousand and eighty five… nine thousand and eighty six… nine thousand and eighty seven… nine thousand and eighty eight… nine thousand and eighty nine… nine thousand and ninety… nine thousand and eighty… nine thousand and ninety one… nine thousand and ninety two… nine thousand and ninety three… nine thousand and ninety four… nine thousand and ninety five… nine thousand and ninety six… nine thousand and ninety seven… nine thousand and ninety eight… nine thousand and ninety nine…”

And so it was. Dozens of steps gave way to hundreds, hundreds gave way to to thousands, and thousands would finally give way to ten thousand. Each one more grueling than the last, but Glacia refused to quit. She was too proud, to determined, and too steadfast in her iron will. Every movement became taxing, her muscles screaming in agony with each motion. Her breathing grew ragged and strained, lungs fighting to take in oxygen in the frigid air. She’d ascended thousands of feet, the atmosphere growing thinner. To a Kold Demon this meant nothing, even space they had mastered. No element of cold and no vacuum could harm them, but even still Glacia could feel her body being taxed in the now mountainous air.

As Glacia stood around at the top of the staircase she looked down at the world beneath her. The Kold Capital stretched out for miles, a grand ruin that was dwarfed by the palace whose entrance she stood at. Buildings that held thousands of residents once all but hovels compared to this one. She would appreciate it more later, for the sun was growing low in the sky, and every fiber of her being ached. Still breathing tired, ragged breaths, her breath turning to white mist from the cold, Glacia hefted her space pod into a corner. Out of the way, resting it against a pillar she opened the hatch. It was frozen shut, and she had to be gentle not to warp the metal. The Kold Demoness would explore the ruins better later, for now she needed to sleep.

Stepping inside the craft, Glacia carefully closed the hatch behind her, sealing it tight. She was out of the elements, though the wind howled around her as she snuggled against the plush interior seat. “One obstacle down… countless to go.” She said to no one but herself, wrapping her tail over her lap like a thick fleshy blanket. Snuggling against herself the Kold Demon breathed slowly, her eyes growing heavy. There alone in the world, thousands of feet high up in the air, she was at peace. If only for the evening, Glacia soon drifted to sleep as the moon crested the horizon to overtake the night’s sky. Comfortable in her space pod, her home for the time being. Until the day she could rebuild.

---

Word Count: 10,818
Reward: Zeni