locke

Locke and Terra have one of the strongest and most endearing relationships in the game. Locke, a treasure hunter working with the Returners, firsts meets a newly freed Terra on a mission to rescue her from Imperial soldiers chasing her through the mines of Narshe. To Terra's surprise, Locke is kind to her and even promises to protect her while her memory is lost. Slowly, Terra comes to trust Locke as a dear friend and comrade.

Locke: I'll keep you safe. I promise!

For Terra, Locke equates to a knight in (not-so) shining armour. From their first meeting, she quietly takes to him. He's her rescuer, her hero: someone who risked his life for her when she needed help the most.

Locke: If Terra goes, I go.

Locke sets it upon himself to protect Terra (not that she needs it). As Terra is recovering and discovering who she is, Locke remains by her side, helping her along and supporting her. For the most part, he makes sure to be by her side, just as he promised.

Locke's trust is tested once Terra reveals her magical abilities. For almost everyone in their world, such a display of near mythical powers would be a shock, and Locke isn't excepted. However, Locke immediately notices Terra's downcast face, realises what effect his shock is having on her and almost immediately gets over it. He tells her he was merely surprised -- her powers change nothing -- and this gives her peace of mind.

brotherly

Although there's the potential for more, Terra and Locke's relationship is most like the relationship between two siblings. Locke casts himself as Terra's protector, acting as an older brother-type figure. Terra, newly experiencing free thought and free will, seems far younger than her actual years in many regards. Locke advises her like an older brother would.

Locke: Yeah, this kid's really something, huh?

From Locke's perspective, Terra is more of a child than an adult. He refers to her as a "kid", speaking of her as one would of a younger sibling or friend. His mannerisms toward her fall along that of an aid and protector, and not necessarily a love interest.

Even so, Locke is aware of any potential male interest in her. In once scene, he warns her as he departs:

Locke: ...And watch out for a certain lecherous young king who shall remain nameless.

Debatingly, this could insinuate a romantic interest in Terra, and is further compounded later when both Locke and Edgar swoon after being personally thanked by Terra. Even so, this could just as easily be explained as the protective, if slightly jokingly warning from a concerned older brother. Given the hints designed into the game of a budding relationship between Locke and Celes, the latter is most likely the case.

rachel

Although Locke has a tendency to offer his protection to any woman, Terra strikes a different chord with him: she reminds him of someone he once knew. The person he's referring to is his once fellow treasure hunter and first love, Rachel of Kohlingen.

Locke and Rachel were avid explorers, always out on a mission in various caves and other likely places for treasure. On one outing, Locke and Rachel were traversing a particularly old cave, and Locke just happened to step on a frail bridge. Hearing a strange noise, Rachel put all caution aside and ran onto the bridge to push Locke off of it. The weight of both of their bodies was too much, and the bridge broke, pitching Rachel into the cavern below.

Locke managed to get Rachel out of the cave, and though she recovered physically, she'd forgotten everything -- just like Terra. Rachel's parents blamed Locke, and even Rachel herself would ask him to leave, seeing that his very presence upset her parents. With the urging of the townsfolk, Locke was forced to leave town. Later, word came that Rachel was killed in an Imperial attack, but before she died her memory returned.

Locke: I never should have left her side. I...I failed her...

The way Locke acts to all woman in trouble -- offering his protection, promising never to leave their side until the trouble is over -- stems from this event. For Locke, his actions are an attempt to redeem himself, make up for his failure. In essence, Locke sees Rachel in Celes and Terra, sees them as an opportunity to make up for his mistakes.

words

When Rachel is brought back from death for a short moment by way of the shattered Phoenix magicite, she tells Locke:

Rachel: Give your love to the one who now dwells within your heart...Love her...as you loved me...

After saying these words, Rachel gives up her life to revive the Phoenix magicite. Locke is both saddened but rejuvinated, because even while losing her, she'd forgiven him. When he leaves the basement where her body rested, it's not Terra waiting for him but Celes.

Given the nature of the scene, and in particular the words Rachel said, the conclusion the game director's meant for us to draw is that Celes is the one in Locke's heart. If Terra was [one of] Locke's love interest[s], she would have been there.

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