Back in the day, I met a bloke called Mark, known in-game as Ethan Whitestar Phoenix. We never met in real life, but I knew him for around 20 years.
We spent endless hours online, laughing until I had tears in my eyes. We used to talk about real life, clubbing, partying, and all the stupid stuff we got up to when we were younger. He was one of those genuinely funny, kind, caring people who could make your day better without even trying.
Life moved on, I moved to Australia, and we lost touch for a long while.
He made me promise that I’d do great things with Mit, my Character, and over the last couple of months, I’ve had that promise in the back of my mind as I got closer to doing exactly that.
Today I found out that Mark passed away suddenly.
It has honestly knocked me.
It’s strange trying to explain grief for someone you mostly knew through a screen, but anyone who grew up gaming, or spent years in online worlds, will understand.
The friendships are real.
The memories are real.
The laughs were real.
I only found out a month later, after his wife posted the following:
https://youtu.be/g7Txsf3Ua3U?si=NJzqOu7zP4D1_ilR
Mark, mate, I’m sorry I didn’t know sooner. I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you that I was close to fulfilling that promise. But I haven’t forgotten it, and I won’t.
Rest easy, mate. You were one of the good ones, and you’ll be remembered by more people than you probably ever realised.
Why do the best ones have to leave so soon? 
