Galactic treasures

## Summary

Cyrus and Estrella go stargazing, where she reveals her love for mysteries and the cultures of other worlds. After conjuring up energy wings for the first time, Cyrus lets her explore different realms, including the space realm. Along the way, Estrella learns surprising things about herself and her family legacy.

## Characters

* Alex
* Cyrus
* Celeste
* Estrella
* Kai
* Cosmo
* Mariposa
* Aurora
* Polaris (ghost form)
* Anubis
* Queenie
* Sandy

## Cyrus’ POV

Today has been quite eventful.

With the addition of two new students, both Angel/demon hybrids, and the news of Sandy switching sides and joining our team.

And my former teacher appearing back in my life again.

I wonder what happens next.

I change out of my uniform and into a pair of loose sweatpants and a T shirt.

My bedroom door opens, and in walks Estrella.

”Hello, sweetheart.” I say, planting a kiss on her forehead. “What brought you here?”

”Baba, I want to see the stars.” she says. “Up close.”

”Oh my love.” I reply. “Achieving that is indeed possible,”

”*Really?!”* she says excitedly. “I wanna go now!”

”Now hold on, little comet.” I say, putting a hand on her shoulder. “You still have much to learn before you can realm hop.”

”But what do I have to do?”

”Patience, dear one.” I say, my voice softening with a subtle rumble. “I will teach you something miraculous. It will take you a long time, but it will be worth it.”

”I wanna fly! It looks fun! But…I don’t want to leave you.” Estrella’s expression saddens. “But what if it doesn’t work?”

”That won’t happen for a very long time.” I caress one hand across her cheek. “Listen…”

I sit down in front of Estrella with my legs crossed.

”Life isn’t meant to be easy. Starting this familia wasn’t easy. Even now I still worry for all of you, because I love you. Very very much.” I say softly. “Even though you are young, you and Celeste…are *strong girls.* You may not exactly realize it now, but you have incredible powers. This little lesson I’m teaching you is intended to help you harness them. But don’t let **anyone** tell you you’re not good enough. Don’t let anyone say that you can’t do complicated things. *You can.* Because you are my daughters, because I want to give you part of a life I never got to have, but at the same time, I want you all to carve your own paths in life, because that’s part of the experience. Unfriendliness is everywhere, mi hija, and sometimes people die, but that’s where you have to learn stand up for yourself. Be the best version of yourself. Unapologetic. But if you’re having a hard time, come to me, because I will always be there for you every step of the way. You understand that?”

Estrella grins.

I chuckle softly. “Of course you do.”

”I wish I could see things no one else has seen before.”

”You can, love.” I say. “I will show you.”

She looks up at me. “Do people really die? How come Abuela is here with us, but not Abuelo?”

My voice cracks. “Well, he—“

I pause. It feels like my mind suddenly can’t find the words to explain the tragedy of what happened to my father to my daughter. A child. Still very much a baby, but maybe she’ll still understand that not all of us live forever.

”He…he died, mija.” My voice softens, drops in pitch, and my voice goes heavy. “The fake realm guy killed him. I was only 10 at the time, but the pain was unbearable. I could feel him die. I could feel the knife the fake realm guy used enter my father’s chest. It got him above where his heart was. I thought it was my fault, but all of us guardians as a whole will never forgive him for killing one of our own.”

I cradle Estrella close to me. She looks up and I see a tear form at the corner of her eye.

”What’s wrong?” I ask.

”What if I’m not good at things? Maybe you have to be bigger to do them. I couldn’t color that picture Alex gave me and some kid called me dumb.”

”Don’t let anyone get you down. Those kids don’t know you like I do. Like *you do.”*

”But what if it’s true? What if it keeps happening?”

”Hey. Look at me.” I gesture towards my own face. Estrella’s gaze interlocks with mine.

”Then I will find those kids and help you prove them wrong. I want to help you grow into yourself. Like I did. Being harsh on yourself, and at such a young age won’t help at all, even though it’s sadly what a lot of other people do to themselves. I don’t want you to end up doing that. But if you’re having a hard time, you come to me, or your dad, or Alex, or even Sandy.”