Chapter Text
Four watched bemusedly as Shadow meandered around the camp, eyes hazy in that way that said he was entirely focused on something magic related. “What are you doing over there?”
Shadow didn’t look at them, though he did stop moving, so Four knew he’d turned his more important senses their way. “Thinking about elements.”
“…How so?”
Shadow paused, then walked over and sat on the grass across from Four. “So that whole natural formed sword spirit deal. The Four Sword’s formed of six elements, right?”
Four nodded slowly, beginning to see where he was going with this. “Yeah…”
“So what’s stopping me from using all of those magics?”
“Dark magic, for one.” They jumped as Legend inserted himself into their conversation, leaning over Four’s shoulder to watch them both. “That sword’s light magic is sacred power, isn’t it?”
Four thought about that. “True, that’s a bad combination… but I’d also worry that you wouldn’t have anyone to help with learning the stuff. I’m too instinctive with this stuff, and I don’t think anyone else uses pure elemental magics.”
Shadow blinked. “The dark thing’s an issue sure, but who said anything about needing an actual teacher? I just need a word.”
Four and Legend gave him matching quizzical looks. “A word?”
“Yeah. Element-based magic is all about getting existing stuff to do what you want, right? All you need to know is how to think your magic around the stuff.” He tapped the ground, drawing his hand back so the shadows beneath the grass pulled out to wrap around his fingers. “I’ve got shadow magic already a’course. You lead the shadow. And since light and shadow are perfect opposites, it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out that one once it’s safe to try.”
He released the shadows he’d gathered, continuing to tap the ground idly. “But even though I know the element-based framework, I don’t have words for the other four. Been trying to look at the natural stuff for ideas, but…”
Legend cut him off with a smirk. “That sounds like a job for the hero of the four elements, doesn’t it smithy?”
Four looked faintly panicked at that. “Uh, maybe? Like I said, I don’t really think about it that hard, each of the colors got their magic so naturally they didn’t even notice until Shadow called us out.”
Shadow snapped his fingers. “The hoarder has a point. I bet if y’all do your magic thing, I could figure out words with you, even if you don’t have em just yet. The fact that it’s mostly instinct makes it work even better.”
Legend’s smirk shifted to a pleased grin. “That’s a thought. I hope you don’t mind me watching too, I have some items that could use the insight.”
Four hesitated, looking between them, then sighed. “Alright, but I hope you know Vio’s going to be overthinking this the whole time.”