The Italian coastline stretched endlessly before them, the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean glistening under the golden sun. A private yacht awaited at the dock, its sleek, luxurious design befitting a man of Mirshad's stature. The crew stood in line, bowing in respect as he and Sophia stepped aboard.
Mirshad led Sophia to the upper deck, where a private dining area was arranged with an exquisite seafood feast. She looked around, taking in the breathtaking view. "I can't believe we're actually doing this," she whispered, the breeze playing with her hair.
Mirshad leaned back on the lounge chair, watching her. "We've done everything, but this… just us, on the sea, no interruptions, no world to run—this is the first real moment of peace."
Sophia smiled, sitting beside him. "I love seeing this side of you."
The yacht set sail, cutting through the crystal-clear waves as they drifted further from the shore.
An hour into the journey, the mood was light, laughter filled the air, and Mirshad had just poured Sophia a drink when a voice interrupted.
"Sir, we have an issue," the yacht's captain said cautiously, his face pale.
Mirshad looked up, his expression calm. "Speak."
The captain hesitated. "There are three unidentified boats approaching us from the east. Fast. Armed."
Sophia's smile faded. "Pirates?"
"Yes, ma'am. Heavily armed."
Mirshad remained completely unbothered. He placed his glass down, leaned forward slightly, and simply said, "How unfortunate for them."
The captain blinked. "Sir?"
Mirshad stood up, stretching his arms as if he had been disturbed from a nap. "They won't even realize what they're dealing with. Keep the yacht steady. Let them come."
Sophia looked at him with an amused smirk. "You really enjoy these little moments, don't you?"
Mirshad chuckled. "Not really. But when idiots invite their own destruction, I like to be polite and let them enjoy their last mistake."
The three pirate boats surrounded the yacht, their weapons pointed directly at them. A large, rugged man—clearly the leader—stepped onto the deck, holding an automatic rifle.
"Nice yacht you got here," the pirate sneered. "Must have cost a fortune. That means you got plenty more to give."
Mirshad stood there, hands in his pockets, unphased. "I'd suggest you leave now."
The pirate laughed, his men joining in. "And I'd suggest you get down on your knees, hand over everything, and maybe I let you live."
Mirshad sighed, looking at Sophia. "I swear, they're getting dumber."
The pirate frowned. "What the hell did you just sa—"
BOOM.
Out of nowhere, a deafening explosion echoed across the sea. The pirate boats were suddenly illuminated by the massive spotlights of five massive warships that appeared from the horizon.
A cold, robotic voice echoed through their earpieces:
"Attention, hostile vessels. You are surrounded by MRD's elite naval forces. Stand down immediately."
The pirates froze in terror. Their faces drained of color as they saw hundreds of heavily armed MRD soldiers standing on the warships, weapons locked onto them.
One of the pirates stammered, "W-Who the hell are you?"
Mirshad smirked, shaking his head. "You tried to rob the wrong yacht."
The pirate leader was still in shock, trying to process how, within seconds, they had gone from predators to prey.
A second explosion rocked the air—this time, a warning shot fired right next to their boats.
"Surrender, or be erased." Rayyan's voice came through the earpieces.
The pirate leader fell to his knees, hands raised. "We surrender! We surrender!"
Sophia watched the entire thing unfold, then turned to Mirshad. "You don't even have to fight anymore, do you?"
Mirshad sat back down, calmly picking up his drink. "No. But I let them think I might, just to make it interesting."
Sophia laughed, shaking her head. "You're something else."
The MRD forces swiftly captured the pirates, their boats seized, and within minutes, the sea was peaceful again.
Mirshad looked out at the ocean, then at Sophia. "Now, where were we?"
She smiled, leaning closer. "Right here."
As the yacht continued its journey under the setting sun, Mirshad and Sophia sat together, wrapped in the warmth of their world—untouchable, unstoppable, and deeply in love.