119 SAVING RAIGON

Zoe scanned the scenario.

They have nowhere to run. No one is around to help them either.

The huntsman is now coming out of the shadows as he saw the vulnerability of his target's lifeguard.

He was limping as he was shot by the arrow but he was still fixed on his goal as he walked forward.

"That's enough!"

She roared loudly making sure that it is not just the shooter coming near her would hear, but his accomplices if there are.

In a fraction of a second, she exchanged places with Raigon. 

She was now in front and Raigon was at her back assisted by Erin.

"It is me you want! I'll come with you!"

Zoe dashed forward to her oppressor. But she froze when she heard Erin scream.

She pivoted and saw Raigon's knees gave way as he fell into the sand while trying to stop her.

"No! Raigon!" 

She wanted to run to his side. 

But she tilted her head toward her attacker first to see his next step.

Her eyes widened in bewilderment as he cocked his rifle to fire at her.

She glanced again at Raigon, blood was now covering his whole shirt and his face was pale from a severe loss of blood.

'If I go back, they might be even more in danger.'

She squeezed her eyes as she tried to accept her fate.

"I got the revenge that I want and more. I gained love and friendship. God, is this finally the end? Are you taking me now? If yes, I'll gladly give my life in exchange for my loved ones. If no, then please give me a sign."

She hasn't even opened her eyes yet when like a miracle, a motorboat from the sea whirred towards them. 

She narrowed her eyes to check if it is a friend or an enemy.

A man with a fisherman's hat and a brown tunic was driving the boat.

It was Azra! 

Bang!

The assailant fired at her but it missed as she immediately zoomed toward Erin and Raigon. 

She cupped Raigon's washed-out cold face and pressed it firmly with her warm hand.

"Run as fast as you can to the motorboat! I'll follow you later!"

She snatched the bow and arrow from Raigon's hand and was about to dash toward the shooter.

But Raigon grabbed her hand.

"Come with us. D-don't get yourself hurt."

Raigon pleaded with a hoarse voice.

Zoe was about to buy time for them. But she just cannot refuse Raigon's request.

She nodded. "Let's go!"

Both she and Erin carried Raigon in their shoulder and scurried to the motorboat.

"Your Highness!"

At lightning speed, Azra went like a bat from hell to Raigon and brought him towards the boat. 

Erin followed after them.

Zoe was able to climb up the boat but since she was the last she got shot at her legs. 

Bang!

Aahh!

Zoe limped as she dragged herself on the boat.

"Zoe!" Erin screamed as she ran towards her.

Azra was about to protect her but Zoe commanded.

"Start the boat now!"

Azra immediately complied. 

Zoe peeked at the shooter who was still aiming at them.

She picked up the bow and arrow and targeted their assailant.

"Die, you scumbag!"

Both of them fired their own weapon.

The arrow went straight into the assailant's chest 

The bullet was about to hit Zoe but she immediately hunched down to avoid it.

It went straight to Raigon who stood up and went to Zoe to cover her up and he was hit instead. 

Erin couldn't stop him from saving his beloved even at his state.

He straight away fell down on Zoe.

"Raigon!"

In a flash, Zoe embraced Raigon and turned him over to her lap. 

His body was lifeless and blood was oozing out from his back which soaked his hair and his clothes.

"No, no, no!"

"Raigon, please wake up! Raigon!"

Raigon opened his eyes and stretched his bloody arm to touch Zoe's face.

He wiped the tears that were streaming down like a waterfall down her cheeks.

Zoe grabbed his hand and pressed it firmly with hers.

"Y-you cannot die yet. You promised to protect me, remember? I'm also wounded. See! You better be responsible for me, okay?"

Raigon nodded his head in a frail manner.

"I'm going to your land now. I'll be your slave forever."

Zoe drew closer and pressed her trembling lips on his, giving warmth to his deteriorating body.

"And you're not done punishing me yet, remember?"

She beamed at him, making his lips curved up even in his feeble condition.

"You're not going to be my slave. You're going to be my queen."

He was able to utter as he gasped for breath.

"Yes, I will be your queen. I promise. You will be my king. And we will live happily ever after. You cannot give up on that now. Promise me, you will not give up on that!"

She quivered as she kissed his hand over and over again and caressed his face.

"I-I promise."

As he said so, Raigon clutched his chest as he felt like suffocating. 

"No, please Raigon, no!"

Raigon clasped Zoe's hand firmly as he was already having a problem in inhaling.

"I-I love you, Zoe. I always have. And I always will."

As he said that, he exhaled his last forceful breath.

"No, please! Don't do this to me!"

Zoe immediately placed him on the floor. 

She dashed inside the boat and scrambled the things in search of something that would put pressure on his wound. 

But because tears were blurring her vision and she was limping because of her wounded leg, she just threw them away.

"Zoe…" 

Erin ran after her with a dropped shoulder as she was also grieving for what happened. 

"He's not dead! Give me a cloth!"

She shouted hysterically.

Erin gave her pieces of clothes that she saw in a trunk.

Zoe immediately grabbed it to apply pressure on his wound. 

After making sure that the dressing is enough to put pressure on the wound, she performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him.

With tears and perspiration trickling down her disheveled physique, she made a fervent prayer with all of her heart.

"God, you have proven yourself as a miracle worker numerous times in my life now. As you did it for me, please do it for him too. I promise I will never let another life be in danger because of me again."

After a few breathless minutes of continuous intervention, Raigon opened his eyes and took in a lungful of air. 

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The end of VOLUME 1: SURVIVOR QUEEN

VOLUME 2: DOCTOR PRINCESS coming up!