Phoenix Wings

Chapter 2: "What's Your Name, Pretty Boy?"

Hybrids were hard to come by, much less to train. Changbin's Hyunjin and the rest of the Phoenix Wings basically grew up together with him. They were orphaned hybrids taken in to the Seo household and trained ruthlessly from childhood to manhood. Hybrids were strong, powerful. They could carry humans 4 to 5 times their size, crash skulls, and move at lightning speed. Their special abilities depend on the animal that they had in their blood. It was no wonder Changbin's eye was saved from the dart attack when Hyunjin effortlessly swiped the dart that was moving swiftly, almost taking out Bin's pretty eye.

A regular Hybrid is part of society and can be adopted just like a human child. Some train to be guards at a young age, as the occupation is fitting for their abilities.

But it was only today that Changbin learned the gut wrenching truth of where some Hybrids were acquired. He never really thought much about it, but now he had to because he was tasked of getting one for himself to increase his protection from assassins.

Changbin and Lee know wore black hooded cloaks as they explored the dirtiest part of the city. The black market. Changbin chose Lee know because he was the strongest out of all the members; plus, he didn't want to draw attention too much to bring the whole crew with him.

His intel said there were Hybrids being sold in here. He could have gotten his new Hybrid somewhere else with legal papers but, Changbin wanted to learn about the underground. Lee know cringed at the fact that there were still illegal transactions going on under the Mayor's nose (or maybe he knows it and doesn't really care about it as long as he has the tax payer's money, and a few sidelines with illegal transactions along the way). Lee know shrugged at the thought; a bit disappointed in the old man.

"You do know that Hybrids here may be a bit wilder and different right?" Lee Know asked; a bit wary. Changbin could only nod. There was a reason why he wanted to adopt someone here. He wanted them to have a better home.

Regular Hybrids lived with humans and were treated like humans. They were heard by society despite the physical differences. But in places like these, Hybrids were still treated as slaves. If he could at least save one of the poor things...

Changbin was filled with anger. Why hasn't his father done something about this place? Prostitution and slavery were still evident here on the streets, but his father preferred holding parties every weekend? He wanted to change that. He hoped one day he could. This was one reason he hated his father, but couldn't quite shake him off either.

Changbin's boots were dirtied by the muddied streets. The stench of cat and dog piss went all the way up to his nose. His nose crinkled. He wasn't used to it but he went on walking the cobbled dirty streets. It was a bit dark here but torches were there every few feet to light the way.

After a few lefts and rights in the mazelike corridors and streets, they halt at the front of a big blue wooden door; battered with age. It seemed like the door has seen more wars and tribulations than them as it was creaky and felt like it was about to collapse.

Lee know knocked three times. Then the door opened.

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In a dimly lit room a young blonde haired boy's stomach gurgled in protest. His frame was small, his arms and face thin from hunger.. He laid down on a dirty makeshift mattress clutching his stomach. When was the last time he was offered some moldy bread? It had been days.He felt so weak he could barely lift his head. He also felt so thirsty; his lips and mouth were dry from dehydration.

Suddenly the door opened and white light bathed the room; the boy squinted his eyes, not used to the light anymore.

"Wake up boy! Or are you also a hermaphrodite? I haven't checked!" hiccupped a dirty old man with a long beard. The boy rolled his eyes but wished he hadn't done so.