108 WARRIOR’S CHOICE 1

"Since this is our last game, let's all give it our best shot," Zoe commanded everyone.

"Right!" The Norfolks all agreed. 

They all went to different areas in the isle and tried out their weapon of choice.

Zoe stared at the bow and arrow in her hands. 

She glanced at the farthest end of the ocean and fondly recalled her moment with her mother.

"Mom..."

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"Stay here, little miss. I'll just get your towel."

Amah told her before she walked briskly away. 

But before that, she mentioned that her mother was home early. She was just in the backyard and she will be back shortly.

Little Zoe crept down from her chair and sneaked into their backyard. 

"What is my mama doing in there?"

She poked around. 

As she opened the door, she saw her mom flying an arrow and hit the bullseye.

Little Zoe was taken aback, which startled her mother.

"Zoe!" She shouted as she ran towards her.

"Are you all right?" 

She asked as she pulled her up and brushed her hair with her dainty hands.

" You're so good, Mama. Can I also do that?"

Her mother smiled at her and replied. "Of course, my Zoe. When you grow up, I'll teach you, okay?"

Little Zoe nodded her head and grinned at her like a Cheshire cat.

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Now that she remembered it, her eyebrows furrowed in curiosity? 

'How does Mama know how to strike an arrow straight at her target? Did she take up archery lessons during her teenage years? Or it's an innate talent of her?'

Zoe drew in a deep breath. 

"I've grown up now, Mama. Can you teach me now?"

She closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. She pulled an arrow from its quiver.

Thinking that her mother is the wind and is guiding her hands, she angled herself to her target. 

With one swift move, she let go of the arrow.

Whing!

It hit the coconut in the middle. 

"Whoa! Is that really you, Mama?" 

She surprisingly reacted. 

It was her first time holding a bow and arrow. But her hands felt like they have been holding that for a long time.

She was just staring at her hands when Raigon came near her.

"I didn't know you're a sharpshooter."

He was just holding his spear vertically beside him and gazing at her with that smoldering stare.

"T-thanks. It's my first time."

"You don't have to worry now. You'll do well in our land." 

His dimples popped up as he glimpsed at her.

It seemed that the Norfolk bonding a while ago must have softened him to be commenting like that now.

"I'm not worrying."

"So does that mean yes?"

"I didn't say anything!"

"Do you just want me to kidnap you then?"

Zoe's eyes went wide open at his last remark.

"You won't do that."

"Try me."

In a fraction of a second, he swept her off her feet with his arms.

Her hands immediately slid behind his neck for fear that she might fall.

But Raigon's hold on her was steady and solid unlike the irregular rhythm of her heart banging wildly in her chest.

"Shall we go now, Your Majesty?"

He spoke very softly, making her scream yes in her mind.

"All right, castaways, let's gather together," 

Erin announced the start of their last game.

Zoe shook her head and face the reality. 

"Gosh, could you just hold yourself. At this rate, they would think we are a couple!" 

She forced herself to come down. Raigon gently loosened his hold on her and assisted her to stand. 

As she did so, some of the castaways are already casting weird glances their way.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Gao! I got scared of a crab! It won't happen again!��

She shouted out within the hearing range of those around her so they would not think anything about them. 

Raigon snickered as he saw Zoe covering up what happened. 

"Behave yourself," 

Zoe commanded him as she walked back to the challenge area together with the other tribe members.

"For our first set, we have Kristie and Mr. Fu!" 

Erin announced the start of Warrior's Choice Challenge. 

They have a bowl of their names which they pick up in random who the next castaway will be. 

"Oh my! I'm really the first one? I'm sorry Norfolks in advance!" 

Kristie blabbed on with tears welling in her eyes. 

She has not played any sport since her accident. It's not that she can't but she was afraid to try.

This was her first attempt to have a physical activity again.

"How could you say that? We know you can do it! Go, Kristie! For the Norfolks!" Zoe cheered on with her lovely mouth cupped between her dainty hands.

"Yeah, go Kristie!" The Norfolks hooted on.

"I will not be lenient with you just because you're my student," Mr. Fu teased her as he readied his spear.

They did not take him seriously though. Mr. Fu was always kind to them ever since. 

"1, 2, 3.. Shoot!"

Both of them gave their best shot. But Mr. Fu broke the pineapple in two.

"I told you so!" 

Kristie cried out with tears bursting like a fountain in her eyes.

"It's okay, dear. We know you give all your effort." 

Zoe comforted Kristie as she gave her a handkerchief to wipe her tears away.

The other Norfolks patted her back to show that they sympathized with her.

Erin now asked Mr. Fu. "Congratulations, sir. You are our first winner!" 

Everybody clapped their hands for Mr. Fu.

"Hahaha! I think I like being a castaway more than a tribe council now." 

Mr. Fu chuckled, obviously in a pleasant mood. 

"Mr. Qigang and Mr. Gao, you will surely enjoy this. Thank you, Erin."

"Thank you, sir. I bust a gut in preparation for this so every one of you will enjoy it and have a piece of a happy memory while you were on the island."

Erin bowed to him and to everyone. 

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Zoe couldn't help but clapped her hands for her friend. She saw it with her own two eyes how she had developed this game, which at first she thought was frivolous, but now she was putting it as her priority.

Everyone else clapped their hands as well.

"Thank you, Erin!"

"Gosh! You're making me blush." 

Erin uttered, but deep down she was very happy.

"All right, we still have a game to finish. Mr. Fu, since you have none of your tribe to revive yet, your only choice is to slay. You can now pick one."

The Norfolks gulped as they wait for Mr. Fu's answer.