The Mystery of Zack Fair’s Absence: Unpacking the Timeline
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Yes, Zack Fair was indeed “gone” in the sense of being absent from the world and unavailable for communication for approximately four years. This period primarily encompasses his imprisonment and experimentation by Hojo following the Nibelheim Incident in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. This absence is a crucial cornerstone of the narratives of both Crisis Core and Final Fantasy VII, shaping Cloud’s identity and the events of the main game.
The Timeline of Zack’s Disappearance
To fully understand the length of Zack’s absence, we need to dissect the key events and their chronology:
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Before the Nibelheim Incident: Zack is a rising star in SOLDIER. Crisis Core begins seven years before the events of Final Fantasy VII.
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The Nibelheim Incident and Capture: Two years into Crisis Core‘s narrative (five years pre-FFVII), the Nibelheim Incident occurs. Following the confrontation with Sephiroth, both Zack and Cloud are captured and become subjects of Hojo’s experiments.
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The Four-Year Experimentation Period: This is the core of Zack’s absence. For approximately four years, Zack and Cloud are subjected to Mako infusions and Jenova cell injections. While Zack largely resists the effects due to his previous Mako exposure, Cloud succumbs to Mako poisoning and falls into a catatonic state.
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Escape and Journey to Midgar: Zack, eventually breaking free, rescues Cloud and begins the arduous journey towards Midgar. This trek is estimated to have taken upwards of a year, during which Zack shares his SOLDIER stories with Cloud, inadvertently leading to Cloud’s later identity confusion.
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Zack’s Demise: Just outside Midgar, Zack is ambushed and killed by Shinra forces, sacrificing himself to protect Cloud. This event solidifies Zack’s legacy and sets the stage for Cloud’s initial involvement with Avalanche.
How the Absence Shaped Cloud’s Identity
Zack’s four-year absence, particularly the circumstances surrounding it, is inextricably linked to Cloud’s fractured memories and initial false persona. During their escape, Zack shared his life story with the incapacitated Cloud. Due to the Mako poisoning and Jenova cells, Cloud’s mind unconsciously absorbed and reinterpreted these narratives, blending them with his own experiences to create a new, albeit fabricated, identity. He essentially believes he is Zack, or, more accurately, remembers Zack’s memories as his own.
Aerith’s Perspective During Zack’s Absence
During the entire four-year duration of Zack’s imprisonment, Aerith faithfully sent him letters. These letters served as a testament to her enduring feelings for Zack and her hope for his return. The fact that she continued to write for so long highlights her unwavering devotion and adds another layer of tragedy to Zack’s fate. Zack’s determination to keep his promise to visit her further underscores the significance of their relationship and the devastating consequences of his death.
The Impact of Zack’s Legacy
Even in death, Zack’s influence is pervasive throughout Final Fantasy VII. He is the silent hero whose sacrifice paved the way for Cloud’s journey, albeit under false pretenses initially. Understanding the timeline of his absence is crucial to appreciating the depth of his character and the complex relationships that define the narrative. Zack’s legacy is a testament to the power of friendship, loyalty, and self-sacrifice. Learn more about the impact of games and their narratives at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long was Zack away from Midgar before Crisis Core starts?
Before Crisis Core begins, Zack wasn’t necessarily “away” from Midgar. He was a SOLDIER working for Shinra, based in Midgar, but frequently deployed on missions. The critical absence begins after the Nibelheim Incident.
2. How long was Zack experimented on by Hojo?
Zack was subjected to Hojo’s experiments for approximately four years following the Nibelheim Incident.
3. How long was the time skip between the Nibelheim Incident and Zack’s escape?
There is a four-year time skip between the Nibelheim Incident and Zack and Cloud’s escape from Shinra’s captivity.
4. How many letters did Aerith send Zack during his imprisonment?
Aerith is known to have sent Zack 89 letters during his four-year imprisonment.
5. Why couldn’t Cloud remember Zack properly?
Cloud’s memories were heavily affected by Mako poisoning, Jenova cells, and the trauma of the Nibelheim Incident. He unconsciously absorbed Zack’s experiences, leading him to believe he was Zack, or, rather, to falsely remember Zack’s memories as his own.
6. Was Zack a clone of Sephiroth?
No. Zack was not a clone of Sephiroth. He was subjected to Jenova cell infusion and Mako exposure as part of Hojo’s experiments, similar to Sephiroth, but he was not a direct genetic copy. Zack had undergone the SOLDIER procedure before, which made him more resistant to the Jenova cells.
7. How old was Zack when he died?
Given that Crisis Core begins seven years before Final Fantasy VII, and Zack is 16 when he meets Aerith (two years into Crisis Core), he would have been 23 years old when he died.
8. Is Zack alive in Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth?
No. Despite the hints of alternate timelines and possibilities introduced in Final Fantasy VII: Remake, the core narrative of Zack’s death remains unchanged, as seen in Crisis Core: FF7 Reunion.
9. Where did Tifa find Cloud after Zack’s death?
Tifa found Cloud near the trainyard outside of Midgar. He was in a catatonic state, likely triggered by the trauma of Zack’s death and the long-term effects of Hojo’s experiments.
10. How old was Aerith when she met Zack?
Aerith was 16 years old when she first met Zack in Midgar.
11. Was Zack stronger than Cloud?
While gameplay mechanics can be debated, narratively, Zack was a more experienced and accomplished SOLDIER than Cloud initially was. However, Cloud possesses unique potential due to his Jenova-infused physiology and eventually surpasses Zack in raw power.
12. How many years before Final Fantasy VII does Crisis Core take place?
Crisis Core begins seven years before the events of Final Fantasy VII.
13. What were Zack’s last words to Cloud?
Zack’s last words to Cloud were, “Embrace your dreams. And… whatever happens, protect your honor… as a SOLDIER.” He also entrusts Cloud with the Buster Sword, urging him to live as his legacy.
14. Why did Cloud come to hate Sephiroth?
Cloud’s hatred for Sephiroth stems from a complex mix of reasons: Sephiroth is a reminder of Cloud’s perceived failure to protect Tifa during the Nibelheim Incident, as well as the embodiment of the horrific experiments they both endured. Furthermore, Sephiroth’s actions directly led to the destruction and suffering witnessed throughout Final Fantasy VII.
15. How old is Cloud in Final Fantasy VII?
Cloud is 21 years old in Final Fantasy VII.