Kali (カーリー), also known as the ZAIN Defense System (ザインの防衛システム), is an enemy machine exclusive to the Strider Hiryu manga. It is designed and named after the Hindu goddess of destruction. In the NES adaptation of the manga, Kali's role as Faceas Clay's protector is taken up by a tempered glass shield that serves as the final obstacle of the Los Angeles stage. The shield protects Clay as he gloats that no human power can break it^[1], but Hiryu proceeds to destroy it with a few hits.

The mechanical monster Kali, based on the Goddess of Slaughter from Indian mythology, is ZAIN's main defense system developed by Enterprise. It also serves as Faceas Clay's only bodyguard, as he has full confidence in this mechanical wonder^[2]. The giant four-armed robot is equipped with a sword, a hanging rope and a skull staff as weapons^[3], which it uses in tandem with its strength to destroy any intruder. Kali itself seems to have some semblance of conscience^[3][4], but this is all part of the defense system's deception, by making Kali look like a real being rather than a mere machine.

Story

Manga

Kali makes its appearance just as Faceas Clay is about to be attacked by Hiryu. Following Clay's sudden disappearance, Hiryu complains of a loud noise that's splitting his head in two and then he seems to be suddenly transported into a temple-like environment. Clay's voice echoes as he claims the place to be ZAIN's sacred grounds. Soon enough, the giant figure of the goddess Kali appears in front of Hiryu. He at first dismisses it as just an illusion generated by ZAIN, but he soon realizes Kali's more than a simple illusion when he barely avoids its first attack, leaving an open gash in his uniform. Taken off guard, Hiryu is forced into the defensive until Kali gains the upper hand and smashes him against a wall.

Just as the monstrous machine approaches for a final attack, Hiryu recovers his strength after remembering Kuramoto's words of encouragement and is able to slice off Kali's sword-wielding arm as it attacks. With sheer willpower, Hiryu proceeds to slice the machine apart. It's just after the system stops working and the illusion disappears when Hiryu observes the system's destroyed machinery and realizes the true nature of ZAIN's defense system.

References