**Chapter 4: Starting Afresh**

Starting afresh isn't always easy. It's a tedious process that sometimes takes a dangerous toll on the mind and body. But for Chloe and Exalibar, it was an escape—an escape from the torments of their past, a way to avoid the haunting pain of what had happened to them, and a way to suppress the guilt of what they had done. The past was bleak, but the future held a glimmer of hope.

After a tour of their new residence by Aisha, they were introduced to the other children. Some were immediately accepting, while others were hesitant. Trust, after all, is earned, not given. The lack of trust didn't seem to faze Exalibar, who was constantly on edge, but it bothered Chloe. She could feel the cold glares from some of the children, their scepticism palpable. Opting to end the introductions rather than face more condescension from what Exalibar referred to as "these dorks," the two were escorted to their rooms.

As they headed to the elevator, Aisha suddenly turned to Chloe, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. "Chloe, you know I don't have a roommate. Why don't you come stay with me? We could have parties, makeovers, pillow fights…" Before she could finish, Chloe cut her off, her purple eyes lighting up with pure ecstasy. "Yes, yes, yes!" she exclaimed.

Aisha grinned, then turned to Exalibar. "Now, onto you. Any preferences for your room?"

Exalibar crossed his arms, his grey hair catching the light as he tilted his head. "Can I have one where I'm alone?"

Aisha raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"To put it simply," Exalibar said, his blue eyes narrowing, "I sleep weird."

"How weird?" Aisha asked, her tone sceptical.

"Under ten times normal Earth gravity, upside down, moving at 1,110 kilometres per hour," Exalibar replied matter-of-factly.

Aisha blinked. "That's bullshit."

Chloe, standing nearby, chimed in. "He's not lying, they say it's what keeps him strong."

Aisha turned to her, incredulous. "What? How? Why?"

Exalibar shrugged. "Do not question my biology. Not even I do that."

Aisha sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Let's be practical here. You don't sleep upside down, moving at 1,110 kilometers per hour, under ten times gravity."

Exalibar smirked. "Fine, I won't argue further. I will, however—"

"Do nothing and live with Dylan peacefully," Aisha interrupted, her tone final.

Exalibar had nothing more to say. He was in no position to make demands. He'd just have to suck it up and deal with this Dylan.

Dylan was a good-looking fellow, his light skin and fiery red hair with orange accents making him stand out. His eyes, a mesmerizing mix of red and orange, seemed to glow with a quiet intensity. He was around the same height as Exalibar, lean but with a confident posture. Reserved and calm, Dylan preferred to talk rather than act, earning him a reputation as someone who had no enemies. When Exalibar entered the room, Dylan greeted him with a warm smile.

"So," Exalibar began, his tone curious, "everyone here has powers. What's your specialty?"

Dylan's lips curled into a faint smile. "How curious are you?"

"Oh, very," Exalibar replied, leaning forward.

"My powers are quite simple," Dylan said, holding out his palm. A small flame flickered to life, dancing in the shape of a woman. "Pyrokinesis. I don't just start and control flames. I can also do this."

Exalibar raised an eyebrow. "Very nice. But is that all you do?"

Aisha, who had been watching the exchange, rolled her eyes. "Exalibar, stop bothering my brother with your endless questions."

Exalibar shot her a look. "Endless questions? Like you're any better. Weren't you the one asking me a million questions while I was in the infirmary?"

Dylan's eyes flicked to Aisha. "What questions?"

Aisha groaned. "Please don't tell him."

Exalibar smirked. "Hey, you heard the girl. But two super-siblings? Your parents must be proud."

Dylan's expression softened. "They really aren't. They're superheroes, and Aisha here wants to be a doctor. Personally, I want to be an accountant, but they simply won't have it."

Aisha clapped her hands together, drawing their attention. "You know, Exalibar, you and Chloe don't really have clothes other than the ones I made for you, right?"

Exalibar shrugged. "It's not like I packed my bags before leaving the facility, now is it?"

Dylan chuckled, his fiery eyes crinkling at the corners.

Aisha sighed. "I didn't mean it like that. What I wanted to say is, do you want to go shopping?"

A voice from the doorway interrupted them. "Yes, they do."

Exalibar turned to see James Maxford standing there, his tall frame filling the doorway. His sharp features and piercing black eyes gave him an air of authority, but there was a warmth to his smile that put them at ease. "You heard him coming?" Aisha asked, surprised.

Exalibar smirked. "Yes, and it was like watching a turtle run a marathon."

James chuckled, stepping into the room. He handed Aisha a fat stack of cash and, with a wink, said, "Don't spend it all in one place." Then, with a wave, he added, "Oh, and here are the keys. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting with the president in an hour. I'm off."

Dylan called after him, "Thanks!"

Chloe blinked. "The president?"

Exalibar grinned. "Sweet. I call shotgun!"

Aisha shook her head, muttering, "How do you know all this?"

Exalibar shot her a look. "Too many questions, yeesh."

Dylan nodded. "He's right, you know."

Aisha shot him a glare. "Oh, shut up, you smooth-brained dumbass."

Chloe winced. "Ouch."

Exalibar chuckled. "Oh, right, you were here. Sorta forgot she was there."

Aisha and Chloe headed to a boutique filled with colorful dresses, stylish tops, and accessories. Chloe's eyes widened as she took in the array of options. "I've never seen so many clothes in one place," she said, her voice filled with awe.

Aisha grinned, grabbing a floral sundress and holding it up to Chloe. "This would look amazing on you. Try it on!"

Chloe hesitated, her fingers brushing the soft fabric. "I don't know… I've never worn anything like this before."

"Exactly!" Aisha said, pushing her toward the fitting room. "That's the point of starting fresh, right? New clothes, new you!"

As Chloe tried on the dress, Aisha continued to browse, picking out a pair of jeans, a leather jacket, and a few graphic tees. "You know," she said, her tone casual, "you and Exalibar seem pretty close. What's the deal with you two?"

Chloe stepped out of the fitting room, the sundress fitting her perfectly. She twirled slightly, the fabric swirling around her. "There's no deal," she said, her cheeks flushing. "We're just… friends."

Aisha raised an eyebrow, her green eyes glinting with mischief. "Friends, huh? You sure about that? Because the way he looks at you—"

"He looks at me like I'm a liability," Chloe interrupted, her tone firm. "He's always protecting me, even when I don't need it. It's… frustrating."

Aisha tilted her head, studying Chloe. "Or maybe he cares about you more than he lets on. You ever think about that?"

Chloe sighed, running a hand through her black hair. "It's complicated. We've been through a lot together. But that doesn't mean… I don't know. I just don't want to think about it right now."

Aisha nodded, her expression softening. "Fair enough. But just so you know, if he ever hurts you, I'll turn him into a toaster."

Chloe laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Thanks, Aisha. I'll keep that in mind."

Meanwhile, Dylan and Exalibar were in a more casual store, browsing through racks of t-shirts, hoodies, and jeans. "So," Dylan began, his tone casual, "I hear you're the perfect fighting machine." Exalibar's expression darkened slightly. "I am—or so I thought until recently."

"Why's that?" Dylan asked, picking up a shirt and examining it.

Exalibar hesitated, then sighed. "You see, no matter how much damage I sustain, I'm supposed to be able to walk away from it. Unless my 'death counter' is full, I don't pass out or collapse. But when I fought Chloe for the first time in my life, as that blast was headed for me, I felt the press of death. Somehow, I knew if I let it completely hit me, I would die then and there no coming back. And yet, somehow, I didn't. But my body felt like I'd died three times. It's as if the rules were suddenly broken, and I had to deal with the consequences."Dylan listened intently, his fiery eyes narrowing. "You think Chloe's powers go beyond photons and blasts?"

Exalibar nodded. "There's something more. Something I fear will be the death of me. Even still, I feel the urge—the need, the subconscious desire—to protect her. To be around her. Why? Even when I killed everyone, why didn't I kill her? It's like… I can't explain it."

Dylan placed a hand on Exalibar's shoulder. "I feel you, bro. But really, did you have to get so deep? We're buying clothes, not reenacting a funeral."

Exalibar chuckled, the tension easing. "Fair point."

Dylan picked out a sleek black jacket, a pair of dark jeans, and a shirt with a subtle flame design. "What do you think?" he asked, holding up the shirt.

Exalibar shrugged. "Looks good. But I'm more of a minimalist." He grabbed a few plain t-shirts, a hoodie, and a pair of cargo pants. "This'll do."

Dylan raised an eyebrow. "You're not even going to try anything on?"

Exalibar smirked. "I don't need to. I know my size."

As they moved to the checkout, Dylan glanced at Exalibar. "You know, you could try to blend in a little more. Maybe get something that doesn't scream 'I'm a fugitive.'"

Exalibar chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."

Their conversation was interrupted by a loud shout. "EVERYONE FREEZE! THIS IS A ROBBERY!"

Exalibar turned to see a tall, armed man at the counter, his gun pointed at the cashier. Without hesitation, Exalibar darted forward, moving faster than the eye could see. He grabbed the robber and slammed his head into the counter, killing him instantly.

Dylan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Did you have to kill him?"

Exalibar shrugged. "Yes."

"Heroes don't kill, dude," Dylan said, his tone disapproving.

Exalibar's expression hardened. "I am not a hero, bro."

Before Dylan could respond, a second robber appeared at the door, firing an optical blast at Exalibar. The boy dodged effortlessly, his movements a blur. "You know," Exalibar said, his voice cold, "heat vision hurts if you're on the receiving end." With that, he fired back, vaporizing the robber's head in an instant.

The store fell silent, but not because of the violence. Standing behind Dylan were two figures—Ronin and Valery, the world-renowned superheroes and Dylan's parents.

"Exalibar, I'd like you to meet Ronin and Valery. My mom and dad."