SOLDIER.

Shinra's elite fighting force that only the strong could enter.

As time went on, SOLDIER became an instantly recognizable mark on the Shinra Corporation as its name was spread across the far corners of Gaia to both intimidate and to inspire.

Foes such as the Nation of Wutai would know the might of SOLDIER firsthand and Shinra would do anything to maintain their foot holding in the world even after proclaiming their victories.

As Shinra recruited more able-bodied personnel into the ranks of SOLDIER, despite the company profiteering their existence, stories of their most elite, Sephiroth most of all, would become something of a legend to ambitious young men with an unyielding resolve to join the best of the best.

One such SOLDIER was Zack Fair.

Warrior.

Dedicated friend.

Self-proclaimed hero.

SOLDIER 1st Class…

Or he was.

STILL is.

Five years ago, he received what he considered his 'Last Order', in retrospect, from his now former employer, Shinra.

Remaining on the run ever since he took his fellow infantryman, Cloud Strife, away from their confinement beneath Niebelheim, an inescapable confrontation between him and an entire army was the very catalyst of his journey to reach Midgar once more.

He'd come very far ever since his journey first began all that time ago from taking a huge risk of leaving his small village of Gongaga, to climbing the ranks of SOLDIER.

Even if protecting one infantryman meant risking his life, Zack would do everything in his power to protect his honor, embrace his dreams, and pass on his legacy to someone he deemed worthy.

An inevitable fate awaited him at the top of that ridge overseeing Midgar that he & Cloud found themselves on as he stared down Shinra's army.

The price of freedom remained very steep indeed…and yet, a grueling wind whispered a chance of success as fate prevented Zack Fair from succumbing to death's embrace at that point in time.

So now he was free to continue onwards beyond his journey's end, taking Cloud with him to the city of Mako.

But as his newfound fate continued to pave the way forward towards a palpable destination that everyone was convinced would mark the end of the world, Zack wouldn't give up.

Despite not knowing what to do and how his journey would continue beyond a reborn opportunity to embrace the warmth of life, nothing would stop him from continuing to fight for what he believed in and continue to be the SOLDIER that he chose to be, no matter where or when he was needed…