She lies there, still bound and helpless, her body weak from the punishment she endured hours ago. Her heart races as she hears footsteps approaching, and she braces herself for another round of tickle torture.
But to her relief, it's not Kefka who enters the room. It's Leo Cristophe, the top general of the Empire. He studies her for a moment, noticing the bare spots on her body, her blonde hair tousled and disheveled.
"What happened?" he asks as he unties her from the rack.
But Celes is too exhausted and humiliated to speak. She simply shakes her head and looks down, holding back tears. Her body still quivers with ticklish aftershocks.
"Let's get you somewhere safe," Leo reassures her.
Back on her feet, she feels like she doesn't need his help anymore. But she stumbles on her first step, and allows him to support her as they exit the room. She thinks about Locke as they walk in silence towards her quarters in the Imperial Palace. She can't help but feel both worry and resentment towards him.
Upon reaching her room, Celes collapses onto her bed, and Leo pours her a glass of water. She sips it, feeling better with each swallow as he watches her intently.
"Thank you," she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I had expected death."
Leo's expression softens. "You're safe now," he says. "That's all that matters."
Celes nods, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and shame. She knows she owes him her life, but she also knows that she's a traitor in his eyes.
He senses her discomfort and sighs. "I know this is difficult, Celes, but Emperor Gestahl has summoned you."
Her heart sinks as she realizes what this means. She must return to her duties as an Imperial general and work for the very Empire she betrayed. But what could Gestahl possibly still want to do with her, a traitor?
"I know it's not what you want," Leo says. "But I have faith in you. I have faith you'll make the right decision."
"I understand," she concedes.
"You have my support, Celes."
As Leo leaves, Celes looks at her reflection in the mirror, wondering where her loyalties lie. The thought of betraying the Returners weighs heavily on her mind, but she knows she doesn't have a choice. She thinks about Locke again, knowing that his unwavering belief in her was the only thing that kept her going during her darkest moments.
With a heavy heart, Celes heads out of her chambers, sword in hand, ready to face whatever fate has in store for her.