Chapter Summary: Full-fledged AU here, folks, based in another world that isn't part of the FF7 universe. While fighting a Midgar Zolom, Cloud is violently thrown into another world. He lands right in the middle of a battle between two sisters and several Behemoths. And though he saves them, he is still taken to their city in chains. He is male, and no man may wield a weapon in this kingdom. The sentence for violating this decree is death…

Transference, Part 1

Ivy Elise Tanté

The battle, Cloud admitted reluctantly, wasn't going very well.

Ducking a badly aimed Bolt3, he took a precious second to count heads before leaping back into the fray.

Zack was to his right, casting MBarrier in case the damn Midgar Zolom decided to toss out another Beta spell in the near future. Kunsel had found a sheltered spot on a nearby hill and was pummeling the over-sized snake with everything he had in his arsenal of materia - and he had a substantial collection from which to draw. Nilman was hopping about, dodging and weaving around the beast, making a nuisance of himself as he slashed here and there on the upraised trunk of the Zolom.

Risky, but it kept the monster distracted. It was already glowing green from a shot of Bio2.

Hefting his sword, Cloud started to dart out when the strangest whistling sound blasted out of nowhere. With the enhanced hearing of the SOLDIERs, the sound was cutting and intense - hovering right on the verge of causing physical pain. A flash had them all seeing spots as a rumble of thunder shook the ground. The Zolom seemed to curl in on itself in apprehension, causing Nilman to skid to a stop with a puzzled expression on his face.

The whistle faded off, leaving the four SOLDIERs and the Zolom staring at each other in confusion.

Into the sudden silence came a horrible tearing sound. Cloud felt more than saw the sudden rip in the very air right behind him, but even his lightning-fast reflexes couldn't respond quickly enough to save him. He barely had time to hear Zack scream his name before he was sucked through the breech.

He was falling, tumbling, spinning about madly like a child's toy top. The world was black streaked with wildly colored flashes of light. Sound rebounded around him, leaving him stunned nearly insensible as the strange environment battered his senses. Try as he might to stay coherent, he could feel himself losing consciousness…

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"Tifa!" Aerith screamed, wielding her staff with almost maniacal fervor as yet another Behemoth lumbered out of the woods. She could hardly believe what she was seeing. Running into even one Behemoth on the Queen's Road was unusual. But three? It was hardly a wonder their horses had bolted as soon as the first one appeared.

Darting to the side, Tifa managed another kick to the ribs of the one she was fighting. There was a part of her gibbering in panic, for she knew that a single fighter taking on even one Behemoth was foolish in the extreme. How in the world had they stumbled into a group of them?!

Pouring her strength into the crystal topping her staff, Aerith sent a powerful blast of earth magic into the ground before the Behemoth in the lead, churning up a small storm of leaves, dirt and twigs. Roaring as the debris stung its face, the mammoth creature stopped its charge and attempted to swipe its eyes clear.

Both got a reprieve when a strange, high-pitched whistling sound suddenly filled the woods. It was piercing enough that the sisters winced, but the Behemoths suddenly started trumpeting and swinging their heads madly from side to side. Backing away to avoid those yard-long horns, Aerith reached out to Tifa, blazing staff still held to the fore.

Suddenly the world went insane as the air ripped, creating a black hole not five yards from the two. A cold breeze rushed out of that strangely pulsing abyss, so intense the nearby foliage was coated with frost. Then something came hurtling out, striking the tree behind the women with such force it cracked the thick trunk.

Before either could react, the breech closed with a tremendous clap of thunder that seemed to rattle the world.

Bellowing, the nearest Behemoth turned and raced through the trees, knocking down anything in its path. The other two, however, turned wild eyes to the sisters. Hunkering down, the beasts prepared to attack.

Tifa raised her fists in challenge even though she knew it was hopeless. But a daughter of Queen Ifalna would not go down without a fight no matter what the odds.

Aerith lifted her staff again, tip nearly aflame as she channeled all her power into it, and prepared to sell her soul dearly. "I love you, sister," she said quietly as she watched the Behemoths gathering themselves to charge.

"And I love you as well, sister," Tifa answered grimly.

Both waited for fate to reach them.

A streak of black cloth and silvery metal suddenly shot between them, sheathed in eerie blue flames. A shout filled the woods as that strange fire seemed to cut right through the leading Behemoth, moving so fast it left a faint light trail behind. The monster staggered to a halt before giving a sigh and falling into two different sections, neatly cleaved in half from nose to tail.

Shocked, not comprehending what they were witnessing, they watched in disbelief as a man straightened up. Spiky blonde hair framed an angelic face that did not match the age-old eyes, the irises so blue the color seemed to throb in the dim light. A huge sword gripped in his fist, he turned with such blinding speed his movements were a blur as he launched himself at the second creature.

Sensing the danger, the second backed off then turned tail and ran. Stopping, the man watched as it disappeared, crashing into the trees and fleeing as fast as possible.

Giving his head a shake, he turned towards the two women and asked in a soft, weary voice, "Are either of you injured?" The tone was low and sensual despite the exhaustion that gave it a slightly husky edge.

Incensed, Aerith's reply was to bring her staff around, smacking him solidly in the head and tumbling him to the ground. Looking down at the man knocked out at her feet, she growled out, "How dare he? Where did he get that weapon?"

Heart still pounding from the near-death encounter, Tifa nervously pointed out, "He saved our lives, Aerith."

Still shaking with rage over what she deemed impossible, Aerith spat out, "He's just a man! How did he accomplish what I, the Queen's heir, could not?"

Kneeling beside the man, Tifa gently turned his head to examine the sizable lump just above his ear. "He was trying to help us, sister. Can't you see he doesn't come from this place? He's nothing like the other males of this world." She nodded to the tree behind them, with a large crack running vertically down the trunk. "That had to severely injure him, but he still leaped to our defense anyway."

Aerith was beginning to calm down, enough to realize her sister was correct. Sinking to her knees, she carefully studied the man. After a moment she gasped out, "He's taller than we are, isn't he?"

Measuring with her eyes, Tifa was stunned to discover this was true. She was 5'6", Aerith 5'4". Both of them were below the average of 5'10" common for females. A male on their world was roughly five feet, more often less.

This man had to be at least 5'8", an almost unheard of height for one of his gender. And his body was hard and toned, strong yet surprisingly agile. That was such a change from the soft and weak men that populated their planet it was difficult for her mind to accept.

"We have to bring him to the Queen," Aerith said firmly. "He has to be charged with possessing a weapon. No man is allowed to even touch one, much less fight with it."

Tifa bit her lip, knowing that her sister was right. But the circumstances! If he came from elsewhere, how was he to know their rules, their laws? Something of her internal struggle must have shown on her face, for Aerith leaned over to put a hand on her shoulder.

"Will you tell me what troubles you?" she asked softly.

"I've already stated my objection. He saved our lives. You can't tell me we had even a fool's chance of getting out of that battle alive," Tifa said tremulously, clutching the man's gloved hand to her chest.

Rising, mulling over Tifa's arguments, Aerith walked over to the enormous sword and attempted to pick it up. Gasping, she released the hilt and looked back at Tifa, "This thing must weigh nearly a hundred pounds!"

"He… was swinging it around so easily," Tifa muttered, daring to run a hand through the sunlight blonde spikes. "As if it had no weight at all."

Sighing, Aerith gave up trying to lift the giant blade and settled down beside Tifa again. "Maybe I did over-react."

"My heart is still beating a mile a minute in fear. I've…" Tifa mulled over her words before admitting, "…never faced death quite so closely before." Again she ran a hand over the strange spikes in the blonde hair. They should be so rough, she thought, not soft and silky.

"Nor I. And to be saved by a man -any man- is as much a shock as discovering three Behemoths on the Queen's Road. I was little prepared for such an event."

Both studied the man for a long time before Tifa admitted, "Our horses will head right for the stables. Idril will send out a search party as soon as she learns of their arrival without us." Glancing at her older sibling, she asked quietly, "What are we to do about him?" As always, she prepared to defer to Aerith's decision, though her heart hammered with fear over hearing her sister's answer.

Aerith didn't give it right away. She rose and approached the neatly cleaved behemoth, noting it was already beginning to dissipate. Finally she turned and said in a toneless voice, "We have to take him with us. Doing so puts his life in danger, but we can't leave him out here, unconscious and defenseless after he fought to save us." Striding to the tree, she touched the cracked trunk then yanked her hand back in shock. The wood was so cold it burned and left reddened patches on her fingertips. "There is a great deal of magic involved here, far beyond my meager skill."

That got a snort out of Tifa. Aerith might be modest about her abilities, but few in the kingdom were stronger than her.

"So, we wait?" Tifa asked.

Aerith nodded. "I suspect it won't be long now."

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Her words turned out to be true. In less than an hour, the sound of hooves pounding on the beaten path had the sisters rising to their feet. As the party appeared around the bend, there was the Queen's Champion in the forefront, racing towards the two with her long blonde curls flying. The roan horse pulled up short and she leaped down. It only took three strides for her to reach the sisters, her pale blue eyes searching them for injuries. Relief showed on the gorgeous face when she found none.

Going down on one knee, she bowed her head and said softly, "Allow me a moment to thank the Goddess that you are safe and well, Princesses."

Aerith gave a soft laugh and flung herself into Idril's arms. "I'm not sure the Goddess will take any credit for our survival." Whispering, she pleaded softly, "Let us speak with you alone, Idril. A life hangs in the balance."

Startled by the urgency in the princess' voice, she turned and barked to her retainers, "Give us a moment of privacy."

It said much of their respect for her skill -and temper- that the entire party backed off hastily.

Before Idril could ask any questions, Tifa took her hand and led her over to the man lying the grass.

"What?" Idril gasped in shock, falling to her knees beside him. Reaching out a hand, she immediately checked for a pulse. It beat strongly beneath her fingertips. Assured he wasn't too badly injured, she then touched his face, amazed at his incredible fairness. "From whence did he come?" She turned to the sisters, features going hard even as her hand wandered down the sharply defined biceps of his exposed right arm.

"The air before us… ripped. And he shot out, hitting that tree." Aerith pointed to it, and watched those pale blue eyes narrow at the vertical crack running down the trunk. "Then he cut the Behemoth in half. With that sword."

Idril's attention latched onto the massive blade lying near them.

Aerith continued, her face showing shame as she admitted, "I was so afraid. We were facing two Behemoths by then, and when he appeared and zipped between Tifa and I to kill the first one… I reacted badly. Once he dispatched the monsters, he turned and asked if we were injured. The casual way he spoke so enraged me…" Words failed her as she remembered being all but consumed by anger.

"That she knocked him upside the head with her staff, hence the large knot above his ear," Tifa finished with a slight smile.

An amused snort was Idril's only response.

Rising, she stepped over and hefted the blade, grimacing at the weight of the weapon. "Few of this world could handle such a sword. Not even I could carry this into battle." Looking it over carefully, she pointed to various ports and latches. "This separates somehow, to become more than one weapon. I don't know of any weapons-master capable of creating something like this. Least of all for a male."

"Idril," Tifa said softly, "men aren't allowed weapons. What will happen to him?" Though she was the youngest of the siblings, she was taught all the reasons for the stern laws that ruled the kingdom right along with Aerith, the heir-apparent. Never before had she questioned the need for them.

Still holding the sword, Idril shook her head as she buried the tip in the soil. "You know our history better than most, daughter of the Queen. This world was once one of advanced technology - until the rulers began experimenting with biological weapons. One of the kingdoms developed a virus that attacked only males, making them sickly, weak and stunted. It spread across the planet, decimating the population, bringing famine in its wake as the able-bodied men were struck down, leaving the crops and herds untended. Our world spent centuries recovering… And now women rule what is left of that once powerful society. Our laws seek to prevent such catastrophe from ever happening again."

Both sisters noticed Idril had only reiterated the reasons men couldn't use weapons. Nothing in her speech gave a hint of the fate that awaited the man once they reached the Queen's castle.

"He has magic. Strong, powerful magic," Aerith told the Queen's Champion. "He was wreathed in blue flames when he cut the Behemoth in half."

It was amusing to see Idril's jaw drop. "Spirit fire?" she breathed out, looking at the unconscious man again. "He is capable of spirit fire?"

The sisters exchanged a glance before asking nearly in unison, "What is spirit fire?"

Giving a mirthless laugh, Idril dragged a hand through her tangled curls. "Something I believed would never be seen again in this world. Only the most ancient of legends speak of those powerful enough to channel their own life-force into a magical attack." Releasing the handle of the sword, she turned and gave a shrill whistle, recalling her group to her. "There is one thing that I do know - we must protect him at all costs." Griping Aerith's shoulders, she said tensely, "If we don't get him to the Queen, and quickly, his presence could plunge our world into war."

Idril released Aerith and strode off, shouting orders for a litter to be prepared.

And that she needed two sturdy lengths of chain.

The sisters were left staring at the man, wondering just what Idril meant by her words. How could one single individual -especially a male, at that- cause war to descend upon their kingdom?

‚¬ƒ

The trip back to the castle was accomplished swiftly, filled with thundering hooves and the rattle of bridles and stirrups. Both of the sisters were excellent riders, but never before had their mother's champion tested their abilities so strenuously. There was desperation in her shouts as she verbally hurled them through the gates and whipped the entire party into the private courtyard before the castle.

"Quickly!" she screamed, sending servants scrambling wildly as she raced to the litter the man had been strapped into. Unsheathing a blade from her calf, she slashed the cords and attempted to pick him up. He proved too heavy to lift by herself, causing her to grunt as a retainer rushed to her side and helped to drape him over Idril's shoulders. The chains hastily fashioned into make-shift manacles rattled on his bound hands and feet.

They might be confused by her frantic need for haste, but Aerith and Tifa were right there, helping her to navigate the corridors as they headed for the Queen's private chambers. Idril didn't relax until they were behind locked doors. The poor messenger sent to request Ifalna's presence had fled from the Queen's Champion, scared to death by the dire tone of her voice and the ferocious glare in her eyes.

"Idril?" Aerith finally dared, though quietly.

She sighed as she slumped down into a convenient chair. "You don't understand what this man represents, do you?" Reaching out, she touched his blonde hair with a tenderness that was startling. "Then it is best I allow the Queen to explain. I will admit that if I had the opportunity, I would claim him as my own without hesitation." Turning her head, her pale blue eyes burned into the sisters. "But that is not an option available to me. He must go to the most powerful of our people. I can only pray there is a way to keep him alive until that is accomplished."

Blinking, shocked immobile by this unexpected turn of events, the sisters didn't hear the door behind them open.

Queen Ifalna walked into the room, motioning for the portal to be bolted. "Idril," she said quietly, then came to an abrupt halt at the sight of the blonde man lying on a settee beside her Champion. Long moments passed as she examined him closely. At last she breathed out, "I see." Taking a seat, she ordered, "Tell me what has happened."

Tifa deferred to Aerith, who then related the story to their mother. Idril took up the narrative afterwards, speaking of the haste to reach the castle.

"All in my party are personally loyal to me, but it only takes one careless comment to reveal what we wish to keep secret. Once his presence is detected, the battle to have him will begin." Looking at the sisters, Idril continued, "I know you are confused. I will answer your questions as soon as I can. But you should know that this man doesn't have the genetic mutations our males carry due to the virus."

Tifa gasped as the implications finally penetrated. "You… want one of us to claim him, to take him as our mate. So we can produce children that don't carry that dreaded disease." Shocked at what her mother's champion was implying, she fumbled out a hand to her sister. "But… he isn't from our world. What if that… rip in the air appears again to take him back?"

Mercilessly Idril snapped out, "All the more reason to move quickly."

Both daughters flinched at the implacable tone.

"Idril," Queen Ifalna said quietly, "give us a moment of privacy."

Startled by the sudden order, Idril still immediately bowed and slipped from the room with the murmured comment of, "I will speak to my retainers to be sure none have mentioned him."

"Mother…" Aerith pleaded softly once the doors were bolted again.

Straightening her shoulders, Ifalna brought that proud regard to bear on her daughters. "He brings with him the possibility of restoring equality to our world, if we can keep him alive. There are many who would never willingly give up the power women now hold. They see our world as in the right hands, that men should be nothing more than pawns to be used and discarded, as women once were. I don't agree, I think our society as a whole would benefit if men were once more strong and vital. But those that feel differently will do whatever they can to destroy that hope… by killing him."

"That's why Idril was in such as hurry," Aerith realized. "To keep him alive by getting him here, where he can be protected."

Tifa couldn't quite keep the quaver out of her voice as she added, "And possibly be given to one of us." At Ifalna's nod, she clenched her fists and burst out, "He isn't one of our subjects! How can you contemplate placing him in servitude when he isn't even from this world?!"

"He is here now. And for better or worse, he saved your lives. That automatically makes him a member of the royal household. That he is male makes the situation even more fraught. There are many that will argue he must be executed for his crimes, just as there are those who will claim his rescue of you should exempt him from that penalty. We have no standards for this occasion. Men are not allowed weapons. He not only possesses one, but he used it." Holding up a hand, she stopped Aerith's outburst. "In your defense, yes. And without knowledge of our laws, as well. In the small minds of those who would object, those trifling details mean little. They will demand he be put to death."

Tifa was about to respond when she just happened to look at the man in question. The intensely blue eyes were open and aware, fixed on Queen Ifalna in a considering fashion. She jolted, nearly bolting from her seat near him.

‚¬ƒ

Cloud awoke just as he was flung over someone's shoulder. It was the panic in the tone of those around him that made him continue to feign unconsciousness until he better understood the situation. What kept him silent afterwards was pure shock.

Who was this Idril, and what in all creation did she mean about claiming him? And the daughters of the Queen? Could that be the pair in the forest that he saved from the Behemoths?

And why weren't men allowed weapons in this world, to the point they were executed if they had one?

The weight on his wrists and ankles were surely chains, roughly fastened but tight enough to bind uncomfortably. His mere presence was so feared they brought him to this place bound hand and foot?

Unable to stay passive any longer, he opened his eyes…

‚¬ƒ

Though she was as surprised as her daughter, Queen Ifalna met his gaze. Pleased to see intelligence in the strangely intense blue eyes, she leaned forward and addressed him in crisp tones. "I don't know how much of the conversation you've heard but I will make one thing very clear. You are male, and therefore subordinate to every female in this kingdom. Impertinence is not tolerated and carries heavy penalties. Is that understood?"

His gaze didn't waver or leave hers as he nodded.

Disconcerted by his intense regard, Ifalna straightened and brushed a hand over her hair. Men were taught to be quiet and keep their eyes downcast; they knew being too presumptuous brought swift punishments. It was difficult not to order him to look away.

But he didn't know their laws, and Ifalna did her best not to flinch as he cautiously sat up. His moves were graceful, agile. The rattle of the chains didn't distract him as he took a quick glance around the room.

But she noticed his hands were shaking.

"What is your name?" she asked, curious enough to give him a small smile of encouragement. Ifalna had to wonder just how much of their private conversation he might have heard before they realized he was conscious.

"Cloud Strife," he answered.

His voice was a bit huskier than before, making Tifa rise and pour a glass of water. He seemed surprised when she offered it to him, but accepted and took a quick sip when she brought it to his lips.

Ifalna was pleased he said nothing else. "Good, you learn quickly. That will make the situation a little easier."

She tilted her head, allowing herself the pleasure of just looking at him for a long moment. Those incredible blue eyes were surrounded by thick black lashes any woman would envy. His nose was slim, the cheekbones high and sharp. The slightly fuller bottom lip was a temptation, as were the ears that stuck out just a bit. But there was strength in the square jaw, in the corded neck. And power in the firmly toned body ruthlessly held in check.

It was when a faint hint of pink tinted those cheekbones that Ifalna threw her head back and laughed. "So, you aren't conceited about your looks."

Taking another sip of water, Cloud ducked his head slightly and Tifa withdrew, setting the glass on the settee beside him before sitting on the arm of Aerith's chair.

Smiling at him fully, Ifalna asked, "How old are you?" Her brows drew into a puzzled frown when he hesitated before answering. "Do you not know?" she finally queried.

"25, or thereabouts," he said while he cautiously shifted his shoulders, trying to release some of the tension gathered at the base of his neck. "I… lost some time."

Such an answer confused the Queen. "Lost time? What happened, did it fall out of your pocket?"

The grimace that crossed his face said louder than words the truth was complicated. "I was… experimented on against my will when I was 16. I remained in a coma for a number of years afterwards."

Shocked speechless, all three looked at him in amazement.

Tifa dared to break the silence. "Your eyes… Then I'm not imagining things. They glow."

"Yes. My eyes glow because a substance called mako was injected into my body."

Something in the tone of his voice had Ifalna bracing herself. "That wasn't all that was done to you, was it?"

"No."

The simple answer had her drawing in a deep breath. "I see." And she did.

Only too well.

Apparently something of the history of her world also existed in others. It was yet another example of innocents sacrificed for the pursuit of power.

The thought frightened her, but nothing of it showed on her face. "I should have asked earlier, but are you injured? Aerith and Tifa said you hit a tree so hard the trunk was cracked."

He shrugged, "I can Cure the bruising easily enough, but without knowing if there is magic in your world..."

"You didn't want to risk startling us. I appreciate your restraint."

Cloud gave a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Something like that."

In that moment Queen Ifalna lost all pretense of detachment. Though she still knew little about him, there was a part of her heart that vowed to protect him to the best of her ability. Whatever damage done to him could not be repaired. But she could take steps that might preserve his life.

Regarding him closely, she stated bluntly, "Saving you will be difficult. There are some who would fight to the death to possess you. Others will scream for your execution. One way to possibly ensure your safety will be to offer you to one of my daughters, to be claimed as their mate. What say you to that proposition?"

Despite the chains, Cloud had managed to get the glass to his lips to take a sip of water when the Queen started to speak. Shock had him choking on it. "What?!" That the exclamation came out perilously close to a squeak just embarrassed him more. To make matters worse, he forgot to regulate his grip on the glass - it shattered, causing sharp shards to spray outwards, one catching him just above his left eye, slicing right through his eyebrow.

For a long moment the silence in the room reverberated as the blood from the cut dripped into his eye. Weary, aching from both battles fought that day, from the deep bruises across his back and shoulder from impacting with the tree trunk, from the throbbing knot just above his ear, Cloud couldn't find the will to fight what the Queen was suggesting. His voice was little more than a whisper as he said simply, "Do as you must."

Shaken by what had just transpired, Tifa rose to her feet and quietly collected a few items from the bathing chamber. Returning, she looked for permission from her mother, who nodded her consent. Ifalna's expression was thoughtful as she watched her youngest competently treat the bleeding wound.

Cloud's pale skin was nearly transparent now, exhaustion and hopelessness echoing in those glowing eyes.

Stepping to her mother's side, Aerith bent and whispered, "This is the second time she's tended to him."

Ifalna agreed with at her daughter. "So it would seem." Moments passed as she tapped her fingers on the arm of her chair. "There is a great deal more to learn about him. And though I find him appealing, even a bit shy, it will be long before I would trust him with one of you." Glancing up, she touched Aerith's cheek with affection as she asked, "Should it come to pass that he is acceptable, would this pairing upset you?" She nodded towards Tifa and Cloud. "As my heir, first choice is always yours. And he is quite the prize. But what I have seen of his temperament and personality seems to better suit Tifa."

They watched as Tifa began to carefully brush the glass splinters out of the strangely spiked hair.

Aerith tilted her head to the side as she considered her mother's observations. "We have to deal with the council first. All this pondering and plotting may very well be moot if they succeed in ordering his execution."

"A very good point." But despite the dire situation, there was a small smile fighting to free itself on her face. "Though finding out if the body beneath those clothes is truly as magnificent as it seems would be… enjoyable."

"Mother," Aerith murmured softly in exasperation, even if she did agree with the sentiment.

But she drew in a startled breath when Cloud lifted his face to Tifa's. Despite the exhaustion that seemed to dim the glow of those incredible blue eyes, there was…

Ifalna reached out to clamp her hand on Aerith's arm, feeling her daughter jerk in response to the tight hold.

Because there was something in his gaze that hinted he had, perhaps unconsciously, already made his choice…