What if you woke up one day and learned that everything you knew, everything you loved, and everything you counted on was a lie?

Would you give up?

I almost did.

Almost.

However, when everything began to unravel, when nothing made sense; when up was down, right was wrong, in was out; that's when I found myself and discovered an inner peace and strength I'd never known before.

As usual, it all started with Adrian. Just like it ended. Who is Adrian? He's the one who seduced me, taught me, supported me, saved me, rejected me and, ultimately, redeemed me.

He's been in my life, thoughts, heart and prayers in some form or another since I was 16.

But this isn't his story, it's mine; no matter how prominent a part he plays.

I won't bore you by starting at the beginning of my life; or even at the beginning of my life as a Dawnstar, Europe's premier team of meta-human heroes.

No, its best to start at the beginning of the end, where I first began to wake up to the lies that clouded my mind and nearly destroyed me.

Of course, I walked right into it. As usual.

**************************************
Her life as a hero ended where it began, on a windswept cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Ocean, just off the Ligurian coast of Italy.

Just over a year ago, she had buried her beloved father here. Now, she was here to bury her future.

A year ago, she had been surrounded by her father's friends and staff, mourning the loss of a great man.

Now, she was alone, except for her ever-present shadow.

The August wind was filled with moisture, a storm brewed darkly in the distance, echoing the turmoil in her heart.

As she stood gazing out across the water, her hand came out of her overcoat's pocket, a small leather pouch clutched tightly in her fist.

Her hand spasmed rhythmically as she held the pouch to her side, fighting a sudden and intense urge to throw the pouch over the cliff.

Inside the pouch was a small electronic device, the last link to a life she didn't deserve, expectations she couldn't live up to, responsibilities she didn't want, and a man who didn't return
her love.

The woman turned and moved towards a granite tombstone, the marker for her father's grave. She had buried him on this plot of what remained of the family estates because it was his favorite. He'd always loved the view over the water, it was his place of solace after her mother had died. It had become hers after his loss.

She wiped away the tears for what she had lost over the last 18 months, vowing silently that there would be no more. She knelt beside the headstone and took up a small spade she had brought.

She quickly scooped out a shallow hole and dropped the pouch into it. With a sigh, she kissed the tips of her fingers and caressed the pouch tenderly, a last loving caress for all it symbolized.

She whispered, as she covered the pouch with dirt and sod. "Good bye, Adrian. Be well and please, forgive me."

The firm hand of her companion rested gently on her bowed shoulder. His deep gravelly voice was filled with compassion as he spoke. "Little Mother, it's time."

She stood and her eyes lingered on the freshly turned earth a moment. Then with a deep, cleansing breath, Gabriella Rossiello squared her shoulders resolutely, nodded to her friend and companion, and started down the path towards the waiting car.

Inside the pouch, under two inches of dirt, the electronic device, a Dawnstars' communicator, crackled to life.

"Slipknot to Vertigo. Gabby, it's Adrian. what the hell is this about a resignation? Gabby? Where are you? Gabriella! Damn it answer me!"

There was no response, how could there be? Vertigo was dead. Dead and buried, along with the shattered remnants of her once peaceful and happy life.

******************

Somewhere in London

"She's on her way."

"Excellent. Our agent was successful. How long?"

"Approximately 48 hours. Shall I begin preparations?"

"Yes, but we must be circumspect. She's not stupid, just naive. Send Nicola to me, please. I need to prep her, and make sure the two of them are kept far apart."

"Of course. What about the Rogue?"

"Do nothing, for now. When the time is right, I'll handle him. He'll learn that I do not tolerate betrayal."

"Of course, it shall be as you wish."

"It always is. Now, leave me."

"As you wish."

The soft rustle and click of a closing door were quickly swallowed a sudden intense silence. The city's heart  beat relentlessly somewhere down below and the thrum and rush of London's 'blood' flowing through its streets was a barest whisper on the other side of thick glass.

Light spilled into the darkened room forming small pools of radiance that hugged the base of each window. Weightless dust motes danced lazily, driven by the the beat of protons and swirl of the air currents. In the center of the largest pool, a spire of shadow stood silently amidst the warmth of the sun beam, a rocky plynthe standing defiant against the waterfall of light.

The plynthe turned slowly to the center of the room. Movement defined the shadow. Lines and edges appeared, the degree of shadows deepened giving rise to greater detail turning the jutting finger of inanimate stone into the softer shapes of a man in shadow. The head turned as hooded eyes actively scanned the room. A soft sigh of disgust brielfy cut the room's shroud of silence.

The room was the epitome of old world tourist and elitist luxury, an abundance of rare woods and cloth, with lots of brass and gold accents. Absolutely gaudy and overstated. Not at all what he preferred, but one made do with the tools at hand when immersed in the Game.

The shadow moved effortlessly from light into shadow, passing through the darkened room to stop at a large desk, an ornately hand-carved monstrosity of Cherry and Oak, that dominated the study area of the suite. The desk light cast a harsh white circle around an open file folder in the center of the desk. Leather creaked softly as a chair slid forward. Intense eyes locked onto the top page. Raven hair and intelligent hazel eyes smiled back, unaware of the interest and plots that revolved around them.

"Not long now, my lovely." The shadow whispered as a finger lovingly caressed the photograph's surface. "Not long now and then you'll be mine. Together we shall save and rule the world."