Main Base - Skull Island
The events of the outside world held no relevance to Ernst.
If anyone dared to continue their misguided plots against him, his subordinates would slaughter them without hesitation.
He returned to the island with Tina in tow.
When she learned her eternal contract was simply to act as a mother to a newborn, she was surprised.
But holding little Kyle, her maternal instincts took over.
She accepted the role with desperate joy.
Shaw, however, was visibly disheartened.
He had hoped his son had finally found genuine love. Learning Tina was bound by an ironclad soul contract disgusted the old warlord.
Ernst could only offer a wry smile.
He noticed a peculiar shift within his own mind. As his cosmic understanding of the universe expanded, his emotional capacity shrank.
He was evolving into a higher spiritual form.
Emotions were becoming mere data points, things to be understood and manipulated, but rarely felt.
He regretted not finding a genuine connection earlier, but the window had closed.
Perhaps, if Tina stayed by his side long enough, a spark might ignite.
With his son safely in her care, Ernst returned to his research.
His prize: the Boggart.
To the wizarding world, a Boggart was a malevolent dark creature. A parasite that thrived on fear and destruction.
Ernst saw the truth.
It was a manifestation of pure, unadulterated magical energy. It lacked a physical body or a central nervous system. It only possessed primal instincts.
Because its raw magical output caused unintentional chaos, wizards hunted them to near extinction.
Ernst examined the shifting mass of black ink.
It was a potent magic source, but its attack methods were rudimentary.
Ernst already possessed an army of apex predators, Ghost, Simba, the Red Queen, and Smaug.
He didn't need another brute. He needed a scalpel.
He sealed the Boggart into a containment vessel.
Using his displacement phantom, he warped to a clandestine safehouse in London, grabbed a handful of Floo powder, and stepped into the green flames.
Borgin and Burkes - London
Ernst stepped out of the fireplace into the dusty, dimly lit shop.
He settled into a high-backed leather chair.
Within minutes, Mr. Borgin hurried into the room.
"Welcome, my Master," Borgin said, bowing deeply.
Years of witnessing Ernst's terrifying power had completely broken the dark merchant's spirit.
"Enough with the empty gestures," Ernst said casually.
"Stand up."
Over the years, Borgin had proven incredibly useful, funneling dark artifacts, rare materials, and intelligence directly to Skull Island.
Borgin straightened, his eyes darting nervously.
"I am curious about your visit, Master. It must be a matter of great importance."
Ernst offered a half-smile. "You have worked hard. I have been observing your progress. I am here to give you a special reward."
Borgin trembled. "It is my honor to serve. I dare not ask for a reward."
Initially, Borgin had harbored murderous resentment.
But the nanobots Ernst had implanted in his brain ensured absolute obedience.
Over time, Borgin realized servitude had its perks.
Ernst had gifted him strength and forbidden knowledge. Borgin was now powerful enough to manipulate the dark factions of London without fear.
"Merit deserves reward. Failure warrants punishment," Ernst stated.
"It is basic leadership. You deserve this."
Borgin swallowed hard. He knew Ernst's 'gifts' were always extraordinary.
"Tell me, Mr. Borgin," Ernst leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Would you like to possess power surpassing Albus Dumbledore and the Dark Lord? The thrill of absolute supremacy?"
A deafening roar echoed in Borgin's mind.
Surpass Dumbledore? Eclipse Voldemort?
The prospect ignited a greedy, passionate fire in the old merchant's chest.
"Master... are you saying... is it true?" Borgin stammered, overwhelmed.
Ernst raised a hand. "Calm yourself. I recently obtained a catalyst that can drastically enhance a wizard's core. You have earned the right to bear it."
Borgin fell to his knees. "Thank you, Master! I will serve you until my final breath!"
"Very well. Sit in the chair. Do not move."
Ernst released the Boggart.
The creature expanded, shifting into an iconic, thick mass of inky darkness.
Restrained by Ernst's telekinesis, it hung frozen in the air.
Borgin recognized the dark creature immediately. Panic flared in his eyes, but he didn't dare speak.
He gripped the armrests and prayed his master knew what he was doing.
A look of intense excitement crossed Ernst's face.
He unleashed a torrent of magical energy from his fingertips.
Glowing, golden runes materialized in the air, weaving together to form an intricate, three-dimensional array.
Thousands of runes interlocked, forming a cage of conceptual magic.
Ernst swept his hand forward. The rune matrix slammed into the suspended Boggart.
A horrifying, beast-like scream shattered the silence of the shop.
The Boggart's pure, rich magical essence was violently compressed and absorbed by the rune circle.
The entity twisted, fusing with the magic to create a terrifying, ethereal humanoid form that seemed to weep continuously.
It sent shivers down Borgin's spine.
Without a second of hesitation, Ernst drove his hand forward.
The glowing rune formation, carrying the compressed, screaming essence of the Boggart, slammed directly into Borgin's chest.
Unfathomable magical power violently permeated every inch of the merchant's flesh and blood.
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