How many do you see can you count them all I dare you to try it would take you a lifetime if you dared. Think of the night sky and all the stars you see how many of me do you see

I am taken before I am given, I vanish when held, I return only when lost, And I’m never the same twice.

Change my first, and I'm a people united Remove my last, and I'm two numbers divided Leave me as is for a portion provided

What is always in front of you but can’t be seen?

I am the part you seldom see, yet without me, towers fall. I drink in the dark so others can eat in the light. Pull me up, and I may take the past with me. In numbers I hide at the base of powers, in words I hide at the base of meaning. What am I?