Author's note:

So ... this is the prologue, not the first chapter. Recommendation: don't skip it.

I changed a lot in the timeline, for example:

- Marella's already trained by Fintan (I wrote about their first training)

- Maruca already manifested as a Psionipath

- The Councillors are still the regents

In addition, there will be a HUGE plot-twist about Keefe's and Glimmer's identity - and many, many character changes.

This story is mainly focusing on the Neverseen, though Maruca, Marella and Glimmer are the main protagonists (all of them (will) have a connection to the Neverseen in some way). If you're hating them, don't read it. I'm not here to get affronted.

Guess that's all.

Prologue

Maruca

I was sent to Atlantis. I should investigate the city. Though it got destroyed some time ago, the Council's Psionipaths fixed the shield again. Maybe you're asking yourself why Sophie and the rest of their team weren't with me. Well ... they were making plans. And in addition, I was a Psionipath, so I could fix the shield if it gets cracks. At least, they thought so. If I was able to, that was another story. My mentor said I was a hopeless case. A dry laugh escaped me. So ... what was my mission again? What should I search for? The Neverseen? Their hideouts? Or what? Yeah, great. I forgot it. I shook my head, then continued my walk down the street - or at least what remained of it. Then, with a sigh, I sat down and tried to remember the orders I got. Suddenly, I heard something above me. I looked up, then yelled and ran as fast as I could. But that was too slow. Perfect. I'll be dead now, I thought sarcastically, but didn't stop running. Apparently, there was still hope left in my heart. But then, the falling objects got shattered right above my head. In disbelief, I stared at the thing that saved me. A Psionipath's shield.

"Who's there?", I shouted, scanning the environment. It was impossible that it was me who created it. I saw something from the corner of my eye and turned around. I gasped at the sight of the black, hooded cloak with the white eye on the sleeve. Neverseen. Well ... it was impossible that I created the shield. But it was even more impossible - I knew that you didn't increase that adjective because of it's meaning -that one of them saved me. No, there was no way a Neverseen agent could've saved me. So, I asked: "Why did you do that?"

"It doesn't matter what I did. You can't trust me. And ... just an advice: Don't come here again. It's too dangerous - and this should not be a joke or an insult. Please, take it serious."

"Since when do you guys say please?"

"Shut up and leave."

Guess that fit a Neverseen member more. With a sigh, I turned around, took my Leaping Crystal and stepped into the light.

"Wylie?", I asked. My cousin turned around immediately, a smile spread over his face.

"What's on your mind?"

"I- ... something weird happened in Atlantis.", I replied, taking care to avoid his gaze. I knew that it wasn't the best solution to talk about this to him, but I didn't knew anything better.

"Is something wrong? You could tell me everything you want. I'm here for you"

"Someone ... someone saved me."

"How did that happen? And ... saved you from what?"

I couldn't blame him for the surprise. Still, I didn't say something immediately. And when I did, it was only to ensure that he wouldn't tell anyone.

"Promise that you'll keep this a secret."

Wylie nodded, his expression was serious and sincere - but ... was there ever a moment when he wasn't sincere? I couldn't remember any. Despite this, it was difficult to start speaking.

"I was sent to Atlantis, as you know for sure. It's- ... I don't really know what happened, but then, some building material burst off from a structure and I tried to escape, but was too slow. And then, I thought I'd get killed, but I got saved. And the person who saved me was- ... it was ..."

"What is it? I can't understand if I don't know everything!"

Seemingly ashamed for his outburst, he added: "But if you don't want to talk yet, then- ..."

"No, no!", I interrupted quickly, "It's just ... the person who saved me was a member of the Neverseen."

I said it fast, before I could think about it a second time. A shadow flitted over his face when he heard my words. But then, he asked: "What else do you know about him? Or her?"

"A Psionipath, like me. Male, according to the voice. Guess that's all. Oh, and ... he warned me about Atlantis, I don't know why."

"That guy helped to kidnap me!"

"Huh?"

Sure, I remembered that he got kidnapped by the Neverseen some time ago. But no other details. And ...

"That makes no sense."

"But it's the truth."

"What do you know of him?", I asked. Somehow, I got the feeling that he was hiding something.

"I- ..."

Wylie sighed, then said: "Promise me that you won't try to find him for whatever reason."

I nodded. Why should I search for an enemy? That was ridiculous. Nonsense.

"Say it."

"Fine. I promise not to search for him."

"His name's Ruy Ignis. He got expelled from Foxfire in level four, proven 'unstable and unfit for society', shortly after he manifested as a Psionipath. His actions were noted as 'irredeemable'. And as you know, that's not something that's simply awarded. And even after that, he was ejected from Exillium. And he's a Neverseen member. And, according to Keefe, he was Alvar's roommate at their hideout. That's all."

"That's a lot.", I stated, then quickly said goodbye and light-leaped away, still not knowing what made me that nervous.

Marella

My first training. I couldn't explain the drive in my movements, my quick steps or the smile on my face. I shouldn't like having this dangerous, illegal ability. But I should hate that I was committed to train with Fintan Pyren. Neverseen's former leader. Councillor Kenric's murderer. But to my surprise, I had to admit that I didn't. I mean ... that didn't mean that I didn't dislike him - but I didn't hate him. Well ... I didn't even really know him. In some weird way, I could even understand what made him do these things. Because I was a Pyrokinetic too.

I sparked a flame and twisted it around my fingers. Somehow, I liked the feeling. That prickle on my skin where it met the fire. The warmth it spread. No, I couldn't get burned. My ability protected me from fire, wherever I went. It was boon and bane at the same time. Oh, right ... I could get burned. Though only by Everblaze. But the only Pyrokinetics who were able to use it without dying were Brant - who was dead now, though not killed by Everblaze - and Fintan. Would I be able to control a force like that? Instantly, I forbade myself to even think about it again. Everblaze brought so much destruction and death. How could I wish to learn it? I shook my head. Never. Never, never, never. I clenched my fist to quench the fire and took a deep breath to calm down.

"Hello, Marella"

Sky blue eyes examined me from head to toe. Despite everything, Fintan didn't look like someone who had been defeated. He stood upright, his attitude was that of a leader. I felt a bit awkward, not knowing what I should do. We both fell silent for a time. Then, finally, I said: "Uhm ... hello. I- ..."

"Just to clarify: I'm not going to hurt you or something like that. I'll just teach you how to control your ability. And ..."

Fintan looked as if there would still be something he wanted to say, but he didn't. Instead, we started the training. First, the exercises were pretty easy. For example just lighting a flame and let it wander from one hand to the other. But with time, it got harder and harder. I pressed my lips together, trying to write my name in the air with flames. I failed at the letter L - the first L, to clarify. My brain was already rushing to find out how Fintan would react - but I'd never expected that he would compliment me.

"Your control is amazing, if I may say so. Now, try again."

I failed this time too, but got more and more confident. In the sixth try, I wrote the last line of the A at the end of my name, with a smile on my face. Fintan nodded, thoughtful.

"You seem to start enjoying to be a Pyrokinetic", he remarked.

"And if I do?", I asked, a bit wary. But I was left without answer. Instead, we finished today's lesson. I decided to walk home, so I had some more time to think. Because I had to think. There was a lot I had to process. I resisted the impulse of repeating the exercises, not wanting to cause a stir. But somehow, I was looking forward to the next training.

Glimmer

I sat next to Tam, careful not to show him my face - what was not really difficult, due to my hood. I didn't do that because I was scarred, afraid, ashamed or similar. Actually, I was kind of a normal Elf. But ... somehow, I still wasn't. Not that it would've mattered in any way.

"Glimmer ... I'm just asking out of interest, to get it clear."

He flipped his bangs to the side, looking away. I nodded slowly, trying to encourage him to continue.

"Why did you join the Neverseen?"

That was clearly a subject I avoided. It was not like they all thought. I didn't join them. It was a lot more complicated. And I was sure none of them would understand. When I remained silent, Tam asked again. And again. Annoying. Really, really annoying. But somehow ... also cute. After the fourth time, I burst out: "I didn't join them!"

"How?"

"I didn't join them! They accepted and raised me after I was abandoned!"

"You ... were abandoned?"

I nodded. It was the truth. But not the whole truth. For some reason, there was a little voice in my mind, begging me to tell him everything - but I couldn't. So, I shut it down and looked away. In fact, I knew much more about the circumstances back then. I knew why I was abandoned. But knowing it would destroy Tam. And that was something I didn't want for him. He was nice, he was kind. Though a bit shady - matching his ability as a Shade - and skeptical. Yes, I liked him. It wasn't something I denied. The problem was just that there was no space for feelings in my mission. I'd have to talk to Ruy about that later. He and Alvar were like brothers to me. We shared all our secrets, knew everything about each other. They were one of the first people who understood me. The first people who didn't judge me for my origins. But Alvar was now recovering from his injuries in a coma-like state, similar to that Keefe Sencen was in. But Alvar got those injuries when his own siblings tried to murder him. Or rather his biological siblings. His biological family. He refused to refer to them as his family any longer. Rightly, I thought. I, for my part, didn't even know my biological parents. That didn't matter any longer anyway. Because the Neverseen were my family. The family I had chosen for myself.

"Hey, Bangs Girl"

"Why are you calling me like that?!"

"Well ... you were ordered to latch on to Tam Song, who's also known as 'Bangs Boy', so ..."

"You're an idiot."

"I'm just gonna ignore that comment. So, what's up?"

It was one of the rare moments Ruy didn't use his Addler. He examined me intently - yes, I had my hood down now, too. Why keep it up when the person I talked to knew how I looked? Now that he asked, the words were much more difficult to say.

"My mission's going well", I finally said. To my bad luck, Ruy knew me to well.

"There's more"

I sighed.

"Yes, there is more."

"And? What is it?"

"I- ... nothing. Forget about it. It's really nothing."

"But you know that I'm here for you? We're all here for you, Glimmer. We hold together."

His expression was serious. And I knew that it was the truth. A truth no one really had to say - though we sometimes referred to it like an oath - because we all knew it. We were there for each other, through highs and lows. All of them were there for me, my whole life. I felt how a smile spread on my face. And then, I started talking. Told him about everything. He let me finish speaking and just listened. Didn't judge me for my faults. And at the end, he said: "Strange. We have so many similarities, did you notice?"

"I ... didn't?"

What did he mean by that? But instead of clueing me in, Ruy ended the conversation. What he basically did, when talking to someone. Eventually, there came that point when he got tired of tattle and just left. It could be extremely annoying - but also advantageous. In which way ever you wanted to see it. But - be honest - everyone had his little mistakes here and there.