the words you should live by

A lot of Zack's words are key in either his development or later on, Cloud's. Therefore, I've compiled some of the most important Zack quotes, and tried to explain why I felt they were important. I'm sure I missed some, and if you feel there is a specific one missing. You can feel free to contact me about it.

"Boy oh boy, the price of freedom is steep..." - Prior to fighting his final battle against Shinra.

Why: Zack realizes that Shinra's firing policy is a lot more serious than he thought. He already knows too much and he was supposed to have died five years prior, therefore Shinra can't possibly let him live. This is the point when I think Zack realizes he may not come out of this alive, however, he will come out free. I think the price of freedom, he mentions in this quote is his life.

"SOLDIERS aren't... Monsters." - Zack to Genesis, after Genesis tells him SOLDIERS are no better than summon monsters.

Why: This is an important quote because it shows just how naïve Zack is about the true purpose of Shinra. Shinra is after all a company who performs experiments on helpless children and their employees. On the other hand, this quote also is representative of Zack's optimistic view, a view that he carries throughout the game until his death, that no matter what type of "monster" someone tries to make you, what you do with your life is what's important. Also, he likes wings.

"An Angel?" - Zack when he wakes up to see Aerith after falling through the roof of her church.

Why: While the quote isn't particularly relevant to Zack (aside from it being how he met Aerith) it represents just how much like Zack, Cloud has become. In the game, Cloud repeats this scene when he too falls through the roof of Aerith's church.

"Live. You'll be my living legacy. My honor, my dreams... They're yours now." - Final words to Cloud.

Why: This is arguably the most important quote in the entire compilation. It represents Zack passing on the torch to Cloud, giving Cloud the strength to continue after Zack's death. Zack tells Cloud to live out his dream, he tells Cloud to be his legacy, which may be part of the reason why Cloud eventually believed he was Zack.

"So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honor as SOLDIER. Well, okay, you never made SOLDIER, but it's what's in here that counts. Cloud, you know what I told you right?" - Zack in Cloud's dream sequence in Advent Children Complete.

Why: This is just one example of how Zack continues to help Cloud, and play an important role in his life even after his death. Zack is always encouraging Cloud to do his best even when Cloud thinks it's a hopeless situation.