Elements are magical forces that make up the Universes of Schism, they are mostly consistent across multiple Universe and magic users (mages) are able to bring magic with them to Universes that contain no magic.
These elements are classical and aren't to be mixed up with elements in physics, though these magical elements do manipulate elements in physics.
Each element is unique in it's effects on reality, however some elements are considered base elements and others para elements. Although some cultures view Base Elements as the prime components that make Para Elements this isn't entirely accurate as a Para Element can occur naturally on its own and can the be extracted into two Base Elements which means that there is no true hierarchy amongst the elements. Some rare cultures even view the Para Elements as parents to the Base Elements.
Base Elements also known as Primal Elements are the easiest to understand and can be fused with each other to form Para Elements. Fusing two base elements is a complex technique for mages to perform and requires knowledge of the para element being fused into, it also happens very slowly or under extreme conditions in nature. The base element Chaos breaks this rule being more flexible when it comes to fusion and requiring little to no experience with the para element however.
Para Elements are more complicated for some to understand where some are very obscure by nature. Two base elements can be extracted from para elements, this is an incredibly difficult technique for mages and requires experience with at least one of the base elements being extracted, in nature this is a rare and slow process or requires extreme conditions.
Where fusion and extraction are rarer cases, each element has a different form of interaction with another element. There are three kinds of interactions.
Competitive interactions are when two elements attempt to absorb each other, for example Fire and Water, where Fire will evaporate Water and Water will extinguish Fire, here both of these elements compete of space and the element with the most power behind it engulfs the other.
Opposing interactions are when two elements repel each other, for example Order and Chaos, where Order attempts to form patterns and structure and Chaos entropy and destruction, when a force of Order meets a force of Chaos, both will push against each other, the more powerful force will repel the weaker force, rather than engulf it.
Harmonising interactions are when two elements work together, for example Fire and Chaos, where Fire is wild and causes destruction which empowers Chaos and Chaos incites the wild nature of Fire further spreading it, when two forces of these elements meet, the more powerful force carries the weaker one with it rather than absorbing or repelling it.