and in your soul they poked a million holes
But you never let em show, come on it's time to go...
Zack Fair, or as Angeal calls him Zack the Puppy. Angeal mentors Zack, and we aren't told for how long, but Zack left his hometown for Midgar at the age of 13 and became a SOLDIER: Class 2nd at the age of 16. So if Angeal had noticed Zack's potential and taking him under his wing from the start, they've known each other for over four years.
Zack is has an extremely exuberant personality and his eagerness to do well in order to make a name for himself is the reason Angeal calls him a puppy. It is before what ends up being their final official mission together to Tamblin Fortress, Wutai, that Zack learns Angeal has nominated him to before a SOLDIER: Class 1st. Over and over again Angeal expresses to Zack that if he wants to be a hero he must have a dream and the importance of pride.
such wilt thou be to me, who must
During their Mission to Tamblin, Angeal relates two stories to Zack: the Stupid Apple and the reason he never uses his Buster Sword.
Angeal's hometown of Banora Village is famous for Banora Apples, aka Stupid Apples. The tree on the mayor's property had the best apples, and although Angeal desperately wanted a taste of one, he never took a single apple from that tree. The mayor's son was his best friend and their was no honor in stealing, much less stealing from a friend.
Angeal's Buster Sword is his family heirloom and a physical manifestation of his pride. Should he use it, it would get worn, rusted, and dull. So it is kept with him, well guarded. Pride should be the same way, always kept well guarded with a person, precious, always held on to so that the world cannot wear it down at the edges. he only time we see Angeal use the sword is to save Zack's life, to which he replies "You're life is more important to me..." and adds joking "Just a little though".
To Zack, it sounds like a lecture. Of course it would, he hears it so much and he's young and all he knows is that he wants to be great, a legend like Sephiroth.
you and i must make a pact....
It is after Angeal has deserted SOLDIER and it seems that most take his as a traitor siding with Genesis, that Zack resolutely and insistently refuses to believe such things about this man, whom he deeply respected. During confrontations with Angeal, he demands to know what happened to the pride that Angeal always told him was so important. The wings which Angeal thinks is the sign of a monster, to Zack, is the sign of an angel. Even after Angeal attacks him and sends him crashing down to the slums below, Zack's mind is still revolving on his friend and how to help him through the apparent identity crisis. Though Angeal hasn't been very reliable and is flighty (metaphorically and physically), when Angeal asks Zack to help him battle against all that cause the Planet to suffer, Zack agrees.
And when Angeal can see no other way out, it is Zack that he chooses in defeat him an end the existence that had become painful to him and that he believed was bringing suffering to the Planet as well. He bequeathes to Zack his beloved Buster Sword.
we must bring salvation back
Though Angeal is dead at this point, he continues to guide Zack. A remaining Angeal Clone (A-Griffin) aids Zack. And when Zack's thoughts become muddled during the Nibelheim mission, it is remembering Angeal's words about his sword that clears Zack's mind of doubts.
During the 5 years Zack spent being experimented upon, it is a vision of single white feather and then seeing him mentor turn and walk away from him stating "I don't need such a pathetic SOLDIER" that gives Zack the strength to break free and escape. When he is finally surrounded and about to face off with almost all the Shrinra infantry, he holds Angeal's sword to his head, as f in prayer,and goes off to battle...
There is balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole...
And when Zack dies, it is Angeal who flies down from the brilliance, and takes Zack's had to carry him off to the LifeStream. Angeal cared so much for Zack, that even in death he was there for Zack, guiding Zack. Angeal is a Balm in Gilead for Zack, relieving his doubts and apprehensions in both life and death.