As our heroes trudged along, the swamp became wider and more airier and resembled less a swamp and more open field, except with a muddy ground. Up upon the horizon they spotted a cave on a small hill, with a mysterious green light emanating from it. Neither Topher nor Bart were stupid enough to think it would be a good idea to try and investigate the cave. And so they tried to travel around it.

Suddenly out of nowhere the mud on the ground started forming like gooey bedsheet like ghosts, with green lights emanating from their eyes. Bart used his lute to blast the mud monsters away, but they would just form again, and Topher tried punching them with full force (since his battle axe had been broken) which was admirable but pointless, because his hands stuck in them and Bart had to blast the mud figures to set him free.

"Bart! I hate to say but we need to go in that cave to see if we can defeat these creatures. They're damn everywhere so it's going to be impossible for us to get out of here. I'll run to the cave and pummel what's in there and you spot me with your lute"

Bart nodded with a solid determination. "I'm ready when you are, big boss man!"

Our heroes stuck to their battle plan and made their way to the cave, with Topher trudging forward with full force whacking anything that came in his way, and Bart covering his back. Each having full confidence in the other.

It was a steep and difficult climb with the mud monsters in hot pursuit, and with the cave yawning uninvitingly with glowing ominous light. Our heroes drew nearer and nearer to what was in the cave.

Seated on a large stone slab, in a cross legged meditative position, was a bald, obese, green goblin with an amulet glowing green around its neck. It's body was heavily tattooed with strange writing, symbols and pictures. It began to open its eyes and smiled.

"Topher and Bart, just as expected, welcome! Please, make y'all yourselves at home and have a seat." said the goblin while gesturing to some stone blocks. "My apologies for my mud friends, I was counting on y'all to get curious at the light coming from my cave and coming in; y'all didn't seem to be interested and so I had to resort to plan B" he said apologetically.

Both Topher and Bart looked at each other flabbergasted and afraid. Topher with his characteristic impulsivity was about to charge in, but out of the shadows came out two muscular looking humanoid alligators who caught him in surprise and put him in a head and arm lock, as well as giving him a few gut punches for good measure which cooled him down and made him amenable to take a seat.

"Bart" laughed the goblin, "There's no need for that." He said as Bart was about to play a riff pointing it at the goblin.

"If you do that, the waves of the riff are going to bounce back at you because my amulet deflects attacks back on my attackers. Please sit down. Look if I wanted to hurt or kill you boys, my mud minions and gators would have taken care of you. I just want to talk, then I'll be a good host and tell you how to get out of the swamp. Sound fair?" said the goblin amiably while shrugging his shoulders.

Bart was taken in with the goblin's logic and Topher had been pacified by his minions. It seemed they had no choice but to talk with this strange loquacious Being. There was a sullen awkward silence.

"So, um, how are you boys?" began the goblin awkwardly not knowing how to begin .

"How the fuck do you think, goblin!" growled Topher with Bart trying to suppress his laughter.

The goblin sighed "look I know you boys and I got off to a bad start. At this point y'all may have caught on that I know your names and things about y'all. So it should come to no surprise that I know that your axe is busted, Topher, and I can see that your bardic outfit is ruined Bart, so here, why don't you hand me your axe" suggested the goblin

Topher seemed hesitant and suspicious and looked to Bart for advice. Bart shrugged his shoulders "Wouldn't hurt Topher, your axe is busted."

Topher sighed and gave the goblin what was left of his axe. The goblin took the axe, closed his eyes and muttered something while passing his hands over the axe. The goblin's amulet glowed bright green and Topher's axe became whole again.

Topher was amazed and pleasantly surprised. The goblin handed Topher his restored axe back, and Topher gave him a gruff grunt and a nod of approval.

The goblin then turned his attention to Bart. "Your outfit, even in the state it's in, looks beautiful and well made Bart, no bard should have his outfit disrespected so here.." he said as he closed his eyes, muttered an incantation and clapped his hands. All the muck and dirt from Bart's outfit was removed and it looked brand new in its colorful glory. Bart was delighted and laughed a mirthful laugh. The atmosphere in the cave lightened up a bit.

"Now, then, since we've made up for all the unpleasantness, my name is Bobo, Bobo the Goblin. As you've probably noticed, this is an enchanted swamp that can be accessed by people who have been selected to be the chosen ones by the prophecy." explained Bobo.

Bart and Topher looked at each other confused like the goblin had lost his mind. "Bobo" spoke Bart "you had us at your name and then lost us completely, what are you on about?"

"Understandable" muttered Bobo then he turned to Topher "do you remember the last time you were in this forest many years ago and there was no swamp?"

"Yes, yes, I do" said a perplexed Topher

"Well, there was a reason for that, which I'll get to soon enough" scratched a confused Bobo. Clearly, spending time alone in a cave had not been good for his people skills.

"Look, Bobo, just tell us this important stuff you want us to hear and let us get out of here. It clearly has something to do with this thing called 'The Prophecy'" suggested a confused Bart.

"Ok, look, I'll make it short and simple, you boys are special but very flawed. Topher your major flaw is wrath and Bart your's is lust. When you overcame those beasts, you overcame your flaws, but barely." explained Bobo

"So wait," Topher asked confused "Those strange beasts that we felt an unnatural bond to were our flaws made physical?"

"Precisely" clapped Bobo " That beast was as strong as you and got stronger and angrier just as you did. When you tried to calm yourself and reason with yourself, you were able to turn into a more pleasant version of yourself, passing the test. That beast was your anger which you are in a constant unending fight with but which you can't win against unless you use reason." He explained.

Topher looked to the side and grunted "Makes sense."

"Bart" Bobo began "That bird fiend was a manifestation of your Lust, at a distance it looks nice but at a closer examination it is an ugly thing. It's keeping you from meaningful relationships and true happiness. The only way to defeat it is to think about the people you really care about and to be hands-on in its destruction." finished Bobo.

Bart said nothing, he just gazed down ashamed.

"When you boys passed the test, you chose yourselves to become the chosen ones of The Prophecy. There was a very real chance you two could have failed and perished but Fate decided otherwise" Bobo explained.

"Alright, alright fine I get it, your swamp only appears to the unlucky "boys" who've been selected by 'The Prophecy' but what the hell even is 'The Prophecy'. Hurry it up, this stone slab I'm sitting on is colder than a witch's tit" growled Topher unhappily.

"The Prophecy" spoke Bobo looking a little hurt "Is that you boys, and another boy are the only ones at present that can prevent the complete domination of the Grand Dragon, Mozgus. It's your fate that you people have to go and kill him. What you two need to do is to head to a town called "Simp" and find the third member of your group.

Bart and Topher looked incredulous "Why on Earth should we do any of this instead of going our separate ways?" cried Bart, "I mean I like Topher's company and am thankful to him for saving me twice at this point but I have a life of my own."

"And I mine!" spat Topher.

"I sort of knew you boys would say that, so let me sell you on the veracity of the Prophecy and what will happen if you choose not to follow it. Look at my body, it is tattooed with events from your lives that have happened, what are happening, and what will happen '' said Bobo gesturing to his body.

Topher and Bart took a closer look at the goblin's tattoos. On the left side of his body was an image of Topher and his brother fleeing a burning homestead, as well as an image of Bart working the fields and his night with the witch. Moving their eyes rightwards they saw an image of the two of them fighting in Fair n' Square, fleeing into the woods and swamp, and sitting in front of Bobo in the cave. Both Topher and Bart went pale with shock at all that they saw.

"Ahh, so I see I've made believers of you boys!" laughed Bobo. "Well, then before you glance rightwards let me tell you some of my tattoos are unclear, and will become clear as you complete pieces of the prophecy. Only the ending portion of the prophecy is clear: You boys and another boy, battling mage Mozgus in his dragon form. But the absolute end is unclear.. At least for now." Bobo paused to let a mind-blown Bart and Topher take everything in.

"You don't need a magic goblin telling you that you boys aren't living fulfilling lives, y'all are actually dead inside, indulging your dark sides while running from your demons. If you choose to disobey The Prophecy and go your separate ways, The Prophecy will select some other chosen ones. You both will succumb to your flaws and die broken men". Bobo lectured. Both Bart and Topher looked disturbed as if something in their souls was telling them about the truth of Bobo's words.

"You, Topher, will probably die in a bar fight or on the battlefield, still trying to run from your demons and trying to distract yourself from that night" said Bobo sadly. Topher's face turned red and he turned away.

"And need I remind you, Bart, that your ass was almost crowned in Fair n' Square? You will keep on whoring, and have sex with the wrong person and will meet an unenviable end". Bobo finished and Bart cringed while shaking.

"But.. if you follow the prophecy both of you will get a shot at redemption, of transcending your flaws and ending your lives happily on your own terms". Bobo said hopefully; Bart and Topher perked up.

"You boys want more incentive? Well how about this:

"Topher, Mozgus desires total domination of the world, do you think your brother Derik, will be safe? Don't you think he and his family will be taken as slaves, and he will forever be working endlessly in the Dark Mage's forge making his weapons, while his family will be taken as hostages for leverage? The life of the only person you love will be destroyed if you don't complete The Prophecy, and what happens if Derik learns that you could have saved him and didn't? Don't you think he'll curse your name till the day he dies?" Bobo reasoned, and Topher gritted his teeth looking like he was trying not to cry.

"Bart, Mozgus will likely send your family to the mines to work and die. I know you don't like them, but I know you don't want them to die like that. Not to mention, Mozgus wants to kill all magical folk so he becomes the only one who uses magic on the continent. Your witch lover will most likely die." Bobo reluctantly spoke, and Bart's mouth became dry and his eyes moistened. Bobo looked uncomfortable having to tell them so much heavy material.

"You know... the life I was living wasn't much of a life, and even if this Prophecy stuff is all bunk, I'll trade for a shot at a better life, and to save my brother" groaned Topher

"And I for a chance at true love" nodded Bart.

"Ok then, let me tell you why you need to find this boy and how you are going to spot him:

Y'all know y'all ain't the brightest bunch, Topher is strong, and Bart is charismatic, but y'all are too impulsive and reckless. Y'all need someone who can mediate your energies, and perhaps by being there help the better parts of your personalities shine. You battled your flaws when they physically manifested themselves, but almost failed without each other's help.

Now the battle becomes more difficult, because it's an internal battle that'll need intelligence, calm and persuasion. The reason why this boy ain't in the swamp is because his flaw is that he's complacent and weak willed. Y'all are too uppity and strong willed, it'll be up to you boys to help him be more assertive and charismatic, while his to tone you down.

As you can see by this tattoo he lives in a town called Simp, and has the initials of W.W, here you can see a figure of him working in some place surrounded by women who are domineering and overbearing to him and he just takes it. Find him and add him to your party. He's book-learned and can read, and will know a thing or two about Mozgus and how to defeat him." Bobo ended his explanation.

"Well Bobo, that was one hell of a trip, but can I ask you a question, why are you giving us this quest? What's in it for you?" questioned Bart

"Obviously I don't want the extermination of all magical life, which includes goblins Bart!" Bobo laughed "Plus I want to leave this swamp some day, I'm only here because I'm safe from Mozgus and his minions in here, because the swamp ain't set in any one location, and Mozgus wants to capture me because I have the prophecy; He knows his downfall is on my body."

"Alright but can we go now?" exclaimed an irritated Topher.

"Sure, but here take these two bags of gold, because I know y'all left everything back at Fair n' Square" said Bobo while generously giving an excited Bart and Topher some money.

"Damn, Bobo thanks, I can see why you want to hide from Mozgus, he'll keep making you give him gold" laughingly remarked Bart.

"Yep, that's part of it, now off you go, I'll appear on your journey now and again when parts of the prophecy become clear!" Bobo concluded.

Bart and Topher were free to leave the dark cave, and they trudged along for a bit until they saw the end of the swamp, where the sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the atmosphere of gloom and haze finally ended.

"Well, Bart, you ready for what's next?" spoke an uncertain Topher

"With you by my side, hell yeah!" replied a confident Bart

And so our two travelers overcame the treacherous swamp, found a new sense of purpose, and now were on the road to a new adventure, side by side.