Merve rubbed his nose. "Mimics are not that smart, and they hardly work together or in pairs. Not to mention they do not talk as much as this one, which is probably why he sounds like a crotchety small beast man trying to learn English. A much cuter version, but still. His cords are fried. This dumbass," he pointed to the mimic. "Is talking way more than he should."
Tom moved a hand under his chin. "So you are saying this mimic is an oddity. But that doesn't mean we should keep it."
"But what if he had an owner?" Merve moved a hand under his mouth.
Tom's arm fell to his side. His brow furrowed. "That would mean he was probably raised for monster fighting."
Sam walked over to them; he also placed a hand under his lips. He rubbed his chin, sliding his hand back and forth. "Toya does not seem aggressive; he would more than likely be used to bait. It seems when he is surprised, he has no control. He probably accidentally attacked one of the fighting monsters."
Jack's eyes watered. "Mim, you have lived a hard life." He squatted down to hug Toya. He pushed his face against Toya's hard side and rubbed.
"Not Mim. and no. I am not a pet but a man." Toya moved his thin, frail arms to push Jack off. He pressed against the big man's arm, failing. "Ugh, move."
Merve's head turned. His tired eyes glanced toward the simple grey stone entryway they came through.
Tom followed his gaze. "Yeah, it is about time we move. Jack, I guess now would be the time. Are you taking the mimic?"
Sam sniffled and raised a hand. "I object."
Jack released Toya. He folded his arms and stared the rest of the party down. "Yeah, of course."
Tom's shoulders sagged.
Merve shrugged. "Remember, up ahead is a goblin nest."
Jack nodded. "I know. There are only four of us. The best option would be to rush them by doing as much damage as possible. While they may be weak, they have numbers and some intelligence. Never get surrounded." He stood and stretched. "Merve and Tom, usually you two would be behind me, but I need some quick damage. I will come behind swinging with a battle axe. Sam, you are behind me with some multi-damage spell. Anything that hits multiple targets. Toya."
"Me," Toya pointed to himself.
"Yes, you. I'm not sure how you will work in this unit; it is very important you do not act. I need to control as much as possible. Please do not get freaked out. There are goblins up ahead. Act if you must to protect yourself," said Jack.
Jack pulled a small axe off his wrist. The axe expanded to a larger size. It had a black handle with red decals before the blade.
Merve and Tom both pulled out dual daggers.
Toya's lid opened, revealing his teeth; he gaped at the scene.
Sam pointed at Toya shaking.
Jack laughed heartily, "He's just impressed. Tom and Merve do look cool."
Toya nodded.
"Ready?" Tom asked, watching the room.
The group nodded. Tom and Merve dashed out of the room. Jack behind them, Sam bringing up the rear.
Toya darted after them. Little bits and bobs rattled inside of him. He glanced around the moment he left the room. "Whoa." Torches lit up, revealing three hallways: one to the right, another to the left, and one down the middle. A few feet ahead of them, down the middle corridor, stood six small goblins with a bigger one in the center.
Toya's eyes darted to and fro. He took in as many details as he could. Unlike the dark stone area of the room he resided in, the rest of it appeared different shades of grey. The large stones had dark spots in the shape of splatters. Toya shifted his box-like appearance, left and then to right, not paying attention to the man in front of him. A hard smack resounded.
Sam gasped. His eyes widened. A rush of air, and then the feel of a hard smack against the ground. He groaned. The back of his legs ached for a few seconds with the front stinging longer.
Toya tumbled over Sam's legs. The sounds caught Merve and Tom off guard; they both flipped around.
Toya lay on the ground with his mouth open, revealing both sets of teeth. His tongue hung out to the left. He breathed heavily; his vision faltered for a moment.
Jack yelled at them. "Never turn …." His face fell. His eyes widened. He quickly swung his axe above Tom's head. The sound of something being hit with a loud wail. Jack quickly pulled back.
Merve shouted as two daggers poked through his shoulders. He shook left and right, gasping.
Jack's eyes wavered. He lunged forward, dropping his axe.
On Merve's back, hanging by two large daggers, was a dark green goblin laughing. It's sharp tongue poked out.