Chapter 4:

Chapter Four- Metamorphasis

Las Brujas De Medianoche Season 1


Who was it that asked that question and where were they?

Camelia couldn't answer. Her vision was completely enclosed by uniform darkness. She couldn't feel anything either and it was like she was floating in an empty void.

' Is this the afterlife? Did I really just die right now?' Her last moments of life raced through her head. Though it was only for a brief moment, she remembered the excruciating pain caused by the metallic carcass of the bus swallowing her body whole. It was cruel how quickly a life could be snuffed out. She was always certain that her team song would be just as uneventful as the rest of her life. Camelia would have much preferred a mediocre passing over the grotesque way her life was robbed.

Just as she was coming to terms with her fate, a single light pierced through the infinite darkness.It took her eyes a few seconds to register a humanoid figure amidst the blinding light. In front of Camelia stood a woman cloaked in a white robe. Her eyes were hidden by the hood and her skin seemed white as winter.

" Who…. Who are you? What is this place? Please answer me!"

" Calm yourself. This is the world between worlds: the astral realm. Your soul has ventured here after you met your end in a fatal attack. How miserable."

The void around them changed to reflect the scene of the bus crash. Camelia could see that the bus had smashed through the apartment entrance and the front of the vehicle was completely caved in. What could only be described as human remains were visible through the window. Camelia would vomit if it was spiritually possible.

" So I'm dead!? This can't be real…. First the demons and now this? I must be losing my mind."

" It is very much real. You had the misfortune of having your bus driver possessed by a demon. Your life has been cut short but I can fix that. I am the bruja of restoration. I can revive you from before you were killed if you take on a contract."

" Contract? What kind of contract are you talking about?"

" In exchange for having your life restored, you must become a bruja and take the responsibility of slaying demons. This world has been plagued since antiquity by demons who hide in the shadows. Your job is a simple one. Eliminate all of them. Worry not, for you won't be alone in this mission. Your friends shall also become brujas should they accept my offer. I'm conversing with them as we speak."

Camelia was paralyzed. So many bombshells were being dropped on her at once. She barely had any time to register that she was dead and now she was faced with a larger than life task. She had never given the supernatural much thought, but it was hard to deny what was happening to her. Her two choices were to either remain dead or commit herself to a battle she was never trained for.

Camelia never felt like she had much strength. Always so timid. Always so scared. There were rarely ever moments she ever felt confident in anything. This was the first time in her short life she had full control over her fate. Even if a road of battle scars awaited her, perhaps this was the metamorphosis she needed.

" I'll do it. I can't let it end like this. I can't let my life end without even doing anything! I don't want to be weak anymore. I don't care what happens after; please give me the strength to live!" Camelia yelled a plea that was more heartfelt than anything else that ever escaped her mouth. Her tears returned but these were not tears of sadness or pain. These were tears of determination; determination to take the first step forward.

" Very well. It seems that you and your friends have what it takes to become Brujas. Let's see how far your will to live takes you. Under the oath of the Bruja, I shall grant you power! Awaken from your slumber and return to the living realm once more!" The bruja's words resonated within Camelia as if she was speaking to her soul. The girl once again lost sight of her surroundings and felt her body float away as if it was being pulled upwards. Darkness became light and light became darkness. The two opposites alternated until there was only one.

She was back at the bus stop, though her attire was completely different. She wore a black and white witch-inspired short dress that had the oversized hat to match. In her right hand, she held a long black staff that had a red gem engraved on the cross-shaped ending. Most importantly, a pink protea flower was growing from her chest.

" Ahhhh!!" Camelia shrieked when she gazed down at her chest. The flower was otherworldly yet also held a strange beauty. Camelia gave the flower a tap and was surprised to learn that she could feel it. She could feel her own hand touching the flower was like touching any other part of her body. It was strange to think of tbe thing growing from her chest as an extra appendage, but that was the best way to describe it. Camelia had to admit that the flower was pretty even though its placement was incredibly awkward. Upon closer inspection, it seemed that the flower phased through the fabric of her clothing. Tangible yet also tangible at the same time.

' Ok, this is way different from what I was expecting. I thought my magical costume would be more…. Frilly. She wasn't kidding when she said I'd turn into a bruja. I'm not sure I'm a fan of this flower growing out of me either.' Camelia surveyed her attire in astonishment. She was a far cry from the girl she was only a few minutes prior.

" Fffiiilllttthyy Human… " A distorted voice rung in her head. Camelia looked up and saw a winged demon creature floating above her. It was bat-like in design with its sunken beady black eyes and suit of dark fur that spiked up like needles. Camelia was frozen in place by the demon's ravenous gaze that communicated her impending doom all too well. Every signal in her brain yelled at her to get the hell out of there and throw away any dreams of being a hero. It would've been so easy to throw everything behind in that moment.

And yet…

" I can't run away. I can't run away. I can't run away…" Camelia muttered that mantra repeatedly while clutching her magic wand. Her knees and voice were trembling but she still didn't run.

" Y-You don't scare me. I'm a magical girl now. Getting rid of trash like you is what I live for. Let's end this!"

With those adamant words, Camelia charged into her first battle.