The Null Goat, Yellow Wizard Capital - 34 years after the Great Burning

The stinging aroma of strong ale, the whispered undertones of hushed conversations, and the warm golden glow from scattered lanterns filled the room. The Null Goat, a rustic tavern nestled deep in the heart of the Yellow Wizard Capital, hummed with life late into the night. Despite the hour, groups of two or three murmured stories or laughed over spilt drinks, their voices fading into the dimly-lit room's smoky murmur.

Secluded in a shadowy corner, an odd duo squared off over an old, scarred table. On one side sat the Revenant Aiko, a creature more ghostly than corporeal. He was the unliving embodiment of mortality, his pallid skin stretched tight over skeletal cheekbones and hollow eyes. A glassy maroon eyeball hung loose from a socket, swaying like a pendulum with each movement. His tattered brown breeches and once-vibrant purple jacket hung in shreds from his emaciated frame.

His opponent, a figure of youthful appearance but ancient experience, sat opposite him. A Yellow Wizard, his face remained eternally young, preserved through the intricate dance of arcane spells. Yet, his eyes told the tale of countless seasons passed, carrying a depth that only time could impart. His yellow hat, tall and bent, shaded his thoughtful gaze, the bright point a beacon amidst the tavern's smoky ambience.

The wizard played a card onto the rune board. "I'll take that corner now," he declared, his voice rich with years, yet playful in challenge. "Play yourself out of that one."

Aiko met this with a throaty laugh, a sound that echoed with the chill of his unlife. "Quick to underestimate, wizard," he rasped, a bony finger tapping a rhythm on the table, "Just because I'm a bit… wasted, doesn't mean I've lost my wits."

"It's not dismissal, Aiko," the wizard answered, a chuckle softening his weathered voice. "You can't blame me for wondering if a zombie still has the brains for this game."

The mirth in Aiko’s voice dried up, replaced by a hollow echo. "Brains enough to have wagered them, and more." His words hinted at a past of tragic gambles, where losses extended far beyond simple coin. His eye swung back to the rune board, glinting with sardonic amusement. "Makes your arcane facelift seem somewhat frivolous, doesn't it?"

A momentary flush warmed the wizard's youthful cheeks, but he shook off the jest with a shrug. "And where's your famed companion?" he asked, deftly redirecting the conversation. "The... leisurely one?"

Aiko's lone eye swiveled toward the door, a grotesque smile creasing his thin lips. "Ah, that slowpoke? He'll be here soon. Patience, wizard. Just because you defy time doesn't mean everyone else does."

The wizard's face registered a flicker of bemusement, melting into a chuckle as the tavern door groaned open. In it floated a spectral snail, its translucent form shimmering ethereally under the lantern light, its pace painfully unhurried.

As the game of runes reached its conclusion, Aiko picked his winning card with a skeletal hand. "Seems like you owe me some coins, wizard," he rasped, a hint of triumph in his voice.

The Yellow Wizard’s face, a picture of disbelief, contorted as he scanned the rune board once more. "How... I had the corner!" he protested, his voice grating with frustration.

Aiko simply shrugged, a grotesque parody of nonchalance. "And yet, you still left yourself exposed to a Skramps card." His skeletal finger pointed to the card placement on the board. "A common mistake."

Anger flashed in the Yellow Wizard's eyes, momentarily outshining the years of wisdom there. He grumbled under his breath, tossing a small bag of clinking coins across the table. It landed with a thud in front of Aiko. "You win this round, Aiko," he said, his voice thick with resentment.

The revenant grinned, a grim spectacle that stretched his face into new degrees of grotesque. "The game is more than just the immediate moves, wizard. It's about the long game." His voice dropped lower, a hollow echo that bounced around the room. "Just like life... and death."

The Yellow Wizard's expression hardened at the remark. He stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the tavern's stone floor. With a final curt nod in Aiko's direction, he turned and stalked towards the exit, his tall yellow hat brushing against the low ceiling of the tavern.

As the door swung shut, Aiko looked down at the pile of coins that now belonged to him. His grin was replaced by a contemplative expression. He trailed a skeletal finger over the coins, each piece a tiny fragment in a much grander plan.

"Almost there."

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