Isaiah John Locke

***"...And I'm going to look damn fine while we're kicking your butt! Because I'm not running away anymore- not from beasts like you...not from myself...and not from the people that still try their best to live in this world, despite what you've put us all through."***
- Locke, to Mollaig

### Alias(es)

Dolph (by Adrien)Dolphin (by Adrien)

The Spruce Wolf

Little One (by Iago)

### Affiliations

Adrien Knox - BoyfriendLyle Locke - Brother

Morgan Locke - Father

Mica - Pet (BD)

## Development

### Theme(s)

"Joyful Ocean"

**Isaiah John Locke**, referred to simply as **Locke** by most, and later called the **Spruce Wolf**, is the main deuteragonist of *Sanguine Melancholia*. He also has this role in *Better Days,*but this is a separate instance of Locke in an alternate dimension. He is Adrien's boyfriend.

While once working as a fashionista's assistant to a man named Xavier Sharpe, Locke discovered that he had a love for feminine clothing. He ran away from home after receiving far too much ridicule for his decision to wear it exclusively, in addition to being criticized for his feminine mannerisms.

## In-Game *(Sanguine Melancholia)*

Locke is known for his very optimistic nature. He enjoys making others smile and feel happy, though his anxiety can occasionally hinder his ability to stay positive. As the story progresses, he becomes better at managing it.

Excluding Hoyt, who joins you for only a few battles before departing, Locke is the first party member the player acquires in the game. He meets Adrien inside a warehouse shortly after the Platoon Commander is defeated in Chapter One. Adrien, finding himself allured by the smaller boy's optimism and generally high energy, winds up following Locke into the ranks of Maelstrom.

He goes on to help Adrien and the other Hunters defeat Abilsin, as well as the First Exile. Though he's prepared to continue his mission, Iago spares him the trouble, agreeing to spend the rest of his life in service to the First Exile in exchange for his friends' freedom.

Locke sets off alongside his boyfriend and begins a life full of hunting. He later attains the status of Great Hunter, just as his final employer (and Adrien's uncle) did. He earns the title of the Spruce Wolf, apparently due to his stylish choice of attire- implying that at last, the public accepts him the way he is.

## In-Game *(Better Days)*

Locke struggles with his anxiety disorder in *Better Days* as well, perhaps even moreso due to the significantly larger population. Adrien learns to help him manage it, while Locke makes it easier for Adrien to recover from a close call that arose from his depression.

## Significant Relationships

### Adrien Knox

In *Sanguine Melancholia,* Locke and Adrien quickly bond with one another after their first meeting, and this closeness slowly develops into a significant level of romantic affection for one another. Adrien struggles from clinical depression, and Locke seems to have a profound positive effect on his health- and the same can be said for Adrien in regards to Locke's anxiety disorder.

In *Better Days, w*hen Adrien is held hostage and nearly killed by Nathan, he panics and realizes that he doesn't want to die without expressing his feelings. He hurries to the hotel where Locke is waiting for him and embraces the boy, nervously confessing his feelings then and there. Locke says that he reciprocates, and the two take a moment to reflect on what had happened, and what was to come. Adrien says that he is done running away from how he feels, and that he just wants to stay with Locke forever. Locke's final line of dialogue heavily implies that the two slept with each other that night.

### Iago

Though Locke initially hates Iago for kidnapping him, he quickly begins to pity the half-demon after learning about the murder of his sister, Raven. Iago is shown to have an extreme soft spot for individuals like Locke, going so far as to betray his employer, Abilsin, without a moment's hesitation the moment that Locke's life was threatened. This is likely due to him reminding the half-demon of his late sister.

When encountered in a pained state on the train in Chapter Four, Locke insists that the group help Iago, despite his actions in the past.

## Quotes

### Voice Lines *(Sanguine Melancholia)*

Battle start:

* *"We've come this far...!"*
* *"I'll keep us safe!"*
* *"Don't hold back!"*

When attacking:

* *“Oh, quit your whining!”*
* *“I'm not even sorry!”*
* *"You left me no choice!"*

Leveling up:

* *"Did you see me?"*
* *"I just hope they learned their lesson!"*
* *"See? I told you we'd be fine!"*

When killed in battle:

* *“A-Adrien...”*
* *"I thought...we could make it..."*
* *"Please...save yourselves..."*

## Gallery

Locke's neutral portrait.Locke smiling sweetly.Locke with Adrien at Candlelight Tor, seen in an unused credits slide.Locke, seen in the credits with Adrien and Lucien.
## Trivia

* Despite his anxiety, his small frame, and his kindhearted nature, Locke is shown to not back down from conflict if he feels strongly enough about something.
	+ The most notable example of this is when he steps in front of Alvarez in *Better Days,* telling Koda that if he wishes to hit Carter, he must hit him as well. He criticizes Iago and the citizens present that sided with him for holding a grudge, and explains his belief that they have a duty as people to recognize that he saved their lives, and to forgive him.