Chapter 17: The Awakening of Power

The training area buzzed with energy as the sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the waterfall field. Shouta stood at the center of it all, his scarf fluttering slightly in the breeze as he surveyed his four out of eight kids.

It was time to train but today wasn't just about physical training—it was about unlocking the deeper layers of their abilities, the hidden potential that lay dormant within each of them.

"Today is going to be different," Shouta announced, his voice calm but carrying an edge that immediately caught their attention.

He paced slowly in front of them, his hands tucked into his pockets, his eyes scanning each face. 

"You've all been pushing your limits, but today, we're going beyond that. Today, we're diving into the core of who you are—your quirks, your magic, your very essence. This isn't just about control. It's about understanding."

His kids fell silent, the weight of his words settling over them. Shouta's gaze swept over each of them, lingering for a moment on Fumikage, Shoto, Denki, and Yuuga. 

He could sense something stirring within them, something powerful and untamed. Today, they would begin to unlock it. And they will be doing it inside their minds.

---

Fumikage Tokoyami sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes closed as he delved into the depths of his quirk. His Shadows had always been a part of him, a manifestation of his inner darkness. But now, he could feel something more—a connection to something ancient and powerful.

As he focused, his Shadows began to shift and change, their form becoming more refined, more elegant. They were no longer just shadowy beasts—they were enchantresses, being of darkness and mystery. Fumikage could feel their power coursing through him, a symphony of shadows and light.

"Embrace the darkness," His Shadows whispered in sync, their voices echoing in his mind. "It is not your enemy. It is your strength."

Fumikage nodded, his resolve firm. He would master this new aspect of his quirk, no matter the cost.

---

Shoto Todoroki stood alone, his mismatched eyes focused on the horizon. His fire and ice had always been a part of him, but now, he could feel them evolving, growing stronger. The flames on his left side burned hotter than ever, while the ice on his right was colder, more precise.

As he raised his hands, a wave of fire erupted from his left, followed by a glacier of ice from his right. The two forces collided in a spectacular display of power, creating a swirling vortex of steam and frost. Shoto could feel the energy within him, a perfect balance of heat and cold.

But there was something more—a deeper connection to the elements, as if they were alive, whispering their secrets to him. He closed his eyes, letting the power flow through him, and for the first time, he felt truly in control.

---

Denki Kaminari was buzzing—literally. His electric powers had always been strong, but today, they felt... different. More intense. More alive. 

As he focused, he could feel the electricity coursing through him, not just as a force, but as a part of him.

Then, something extraordinary happened. Time seemed to slow, the world around him grinding to a halt. Denki blinked, looking around in awe.

He could move, but everything else was frozen. "Whoa," he whispered, his voice echoing in the stillness. "This is... insane."

But that wasn't all. As he ran, he realized he was moving at the speed of lightning, his body a blur of energy. And then, in the depths of his mind, he saw it—an ancient book, its pages glowing with electric blue light.

It was as if the knowledge of the ages had been waiting for him, hidden within his very soul.

"Okay," Denki said, grinning despite the overwhelming nature of it all. "This is officially the coolest thing that's ever happened to me."

---

Yuuga Aoyama stood apart from the group, his mind still reeling from the discovery of his Soul Gems. The six stones—Time, Space, Reality, Mind, Power, and Soul—were hidden within him, each one pulsing with its own unique energy.

As he focused, he could feel them stirring, their power growing stronger. The blue stone of Time whispered of moments frozen and forgotten, while the green stone of Space hummed with the vastness of the universe. The red stone of Reality burned with the fire of creation, and the purple stone of Mind shimmered with the light of thought and memory. The white stone of Power radiated with raw energy, and the black stone of Soul pulsed with the essence of life itself.

Yuuga knew he had to be careful. The stones were powerful, but they were also dangerous. If anyone else tried to wield them, they would die. But for now, he would keep them hidden, a secret weapon to be used only when necessary.

---

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Shoto returned to his dorm, where Hilal was waiting. The alpha was lying on the bed, his arms crossed behind his head, his dark eyes staring at the ceiling. Shoto hesitated for a moment before sitting down beside him.

"I never asked you," Shoto began softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But... can you tell me about your family?"

Hilal's eyes flicked to Shoto, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Shoto thought he might refuse, but then Hilal sighed and sat up, running a hand through his hair.

"My family..." Hilal began, his voice low and heavy. "They weren't like yours, Shoto. They weren't heroes. They were... something else. Something darker."

Shoto's eyes widened, but he didn't interrupt. He could see the pain in Hilal's eyes, the weight of the past pressing down on him.

"My father was a warlord," Hilal continued, his voice steady but laced with bitterness. "He ruled with fear and violence. My mother... she tried to protect me, but in the end, she couldn't. When I was old enough, I ran. I left everything behind."

Shoto reached out, placing a hand on Hilal's arm. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "I didn't know."

Hilal shook his head. "It's not your fault. I just... I didn't want you to see that part of me. The part that's broken."

Shoto's heart ached at the words, and he leaned in, pressing his forehead against Hilal's. "You're not broken," he said firmly. "You're my mate. My alpha. And I love you, no matter what."

Hilal's eyes softened, and he pulled Shoto into his arms, holding him tightly. "I don't deserve you," he murmured.

"Yes, you do," Shoto replied, his voice steady. "And I'm not going anywhere."