It was because that man inspired him. He felt brave, he decided, running blindly away from the man behind him. The Kur stone sat safely tucked in his arms. He might not have been able to see but he could still hear. He was trained for this. He just had to retrace his footsteps and keep a cool head. Zak could not afford to panic, his parents were counting on him!

Devonian Annelids, Argost had called them, had attached themselves to his family. He started with a handicap; the stone was tossed into his sweaty, shaky, hands as the sight that Fisk gave him had slowly faded.

It was terrifying, hearing the snarls and curses of the man who was behind? No, above, him. His hunter had taken to the trees. A sharp intake of oxygen, the air whistled, a projectile missed his arm by a centimeter. He wanted to give up chase and surrender but that wasn't an option. He couldn't be coddled forever, he was a secret scientist too! Err... one in training at the very least.

It didn't matter though, because Zak was brave, but he was also blind and he couldn't see the slick ground. And he slipped. The stone rolled from his fingertips. A hand tipped with long nails grabbed his neck. His breath caught in his throat and fear danced in his stomach.

But Zak didn't flinch. Because he was brave.

Or was he reckless?

He didn't dare back down even as Argost practically growled in his face, "You have given me quite the chase, boy."

"...You needed a good jog." His mouth retorted on its own. Call it a coping method.

Cold fingers wrung his neck.

Bravery

When he reopened his eyes; to see nothing, like normal, he was vaguely aware, or unaware, of his limbs. He couldn't feel them. His first thought was panic because he couldn't exactly see them so what if they weren't there?!

That thought was thankfully discarded as his elbow poked rather roughly into his head.

Sounds of subdued struggled echoed in his ears. He wasn't alone.

Now how were they going to get out of this one?

...that was a good question.

"...Mom? Dad?" He called out a little hesitantly.

No one sp-, "Greetings and Bienvenue! Young Saturday," The megalomaniac man addressed him and Zak nearly snickered despite the seriousness - that accent was totally fake, "I don't believe you've had the pleasure of meeting my manservant.."

"Munya, I know; I've watched a few episodes…" His lips sealed as he could practically feel his parent's glare, "Listen! I didn't know he was a bad guy up until today." His mother sighed in irritation, "It's good TV!" He pouted.

Clearing his throat, and sounding quite upset about being talked over, Argost forcefully joined the conversation, "Well then, as long as we're all acquainted." Sarcastic, falsely-french, and rude. What a package.

The conversation went back and forth; his mother pleaded to them to be let go, Argost replied with a snarky comment, and angry roars ripped through the dense underbrush.

Wait, what?

He would kill if it meant seeing what was undoubtedly barreling towards them.

"Ah yes... The Tapire-laura will be very impressed once they see the hors-d'oeuvres I've prepared for them." Oh, the giant pig-cat like creatures who guarded the lake. The ones that his mom and dad entrusted to guard their piece of the stone. Getting mauled by a pig-cat was not on his to-do list.

Lacking his usual grace he stumbled to find a connection. Fisk immediately reached out with Komodo a minute behind him but he pushed them away. He wasn't looking for them. He could feel their hurt and confusion but he pushed forward. Straining to find the beasts he gasped as one finally brushed across his brain.

They had entered the clearing.

About five in total.

His blood pounded in his ears as he struggled to connect with all of them. It was a delicate process, it was like making a spider web; he had to spin delicate silk and braid them around each and every brain of the cryptid he wanted to control. Sometimes, it was as simple as breathing while others it was as difficult as knitting in a hurricane.

"Zak no!" His mother cried but it was too late. The connection was made and he felt brave again.

He could see. A migraine formed behind his eyes as he flared his powers for more; he needed more than sight he needed control.

"Oh? What an interesting ability you have.." He locked eyes with Argost, not at all amused by the mocking, as the beast charged.

The cryptid roared and jumped, its claws outstretched, "Zak cut it off! It's not working!" His dad cried out in worry.

Its claws tore through the vines as if it were nothing but wet paper.

Rolling down as to avoid the final brunt of the attack he swooped down and grabbed onto the claw. A sequence of sickening pops and a symphony of wet slurps invaded his ears a moment too late. He had been busy at work attempting to remove the vines and Argost took the opportunity. A large and clammy hand grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled. Eyes wide he stared at the face of once-man now-spider, "Uh.. did anyone know he could do that?"

As if he weighed nothing he was slung through the air; he began to slide on the damp floor and managed to collect several pounds of mud onto his clothes and face.

This was so not his day.

The connection with the cryptid was slowly tapering off, not being able to multitask he found himself in a bind. If he let go of the pig-cryptids they might attack his family — but if he didn't let go and focus on his fight... Well...

Zak snapped the connection.

Instinctively reaching for Fisk, and connecting, he looked up at the hulking man in front of him.

"Hey ugly, did you know, spiders usually spit string from their butts… what does that say about you?" He taunted before sprinting away. Quickly finding Argost hidden in the trees he aimed his claw and fired. The Kur stone tumbled from his grip and, thankfully was okay, after hitting several trees.

From there on it was keep-away time.

Bravery

"You had to make an impossible choice in an impossible situation Zak. And as far as I'm concerned, you made the right one." Doc said proudly as he helped his son up.

"A stone we can always get back... A life isn't as simple." Drew chimed as she wrapped her arms around him. Fiskerton and Komodo cheered in agreement. From above the shadow of the huge bird loomed above.

Clicking excitedly she nudged her break against his torso. Smiling his hands danced in the thick fur around her neck, "Welcome to the family, Zon."

A new connection was formed.

"Munya? It seems we may have to keep an eye on the young Saturday." Argost hummed as he remembered the power the child held. The child had seemed so brave against him, something not many could do. It was curious. The young boy seemed to fumble over his footsteps one moment and then the next…

"Just what secrets are you hiding.." He mused as Munya placed all three pieces of the stone in front of him.