If Kituo could clench the lantern any tighter, he would've. He had abandoned his only allies in favor of securing his possession of his lifeline. He would be distraught if some random old man took it away from him. Kituo refused to allow the old man to encroach, picking up his pace in hopes of creating distance between them.

[i]A summoning lantern?[/i] Kituo registered, catching wind of the old man's classification of the lantern. 

Just what did he mean by that? He took a glimpse at the lantern, its glow ever so soothing to his nerves. It did have a strange feeling to it. It gave off a vibe that he couldn't necessarily describe.

[i]Exactly what could be inside of this thing?[/i] Kituo wondered.

What if the lantern's purpose was to summon a monster to kill its owner? There it was again. Kituo's wild imagination which was responsible for his excessive panic attacks. There was no way the old man would want something that was going to kill him. Nobody wanted anything that would kill them. There was definitely more to this "summoning" aspect of the lantern. Kituo determined to find out.

"Ah!" 

Kituo lost his balance, tipping over as the stray tree root caught his foot. He turned mid fall, now facing the man as he neared him. Frightened, Kituo shuddered as he took notice of his eerie features. The armor he wore was covered in markings that reminded the boy of those scribbled on the tree where he first spawned into the forest. What concerned Kituo the most was the tattoo on the palm of his hand. It was that of eye and it seemed to carefully inspect Kituo as the man reached towards the lantern.

"Get away from it!" Kituo snapped, kicking out and attempting to roll over.

Very seldom did his fear cause him to lash out. However, given his circumstances, flight was becoming less and less viable of a solution. To kick the man was a very impulsive and probably stupid decision on Kituo's part. He was certain that his armor wasn't normal and he failed to notice the sword he kept. Besides the lantern, which was confirmed to work on monsters such as the monkey-bats, Kituo bore no other methods of protection. If the man decided to draw his weapon then he would be completely vulnerable. He inferred that the lantern didn't work on humans. After all he had been able to hold on to it so far without any ill effects.

"Help!" Kituo screamed, kicking out again to prevent the old man from getting closer. 

Maybe he was being too extreme. Oh well, that was a part of him being his self.