Kali

* Profile
* Biography
* Technical

**Kali** (칼리, *Kali*) was a legendary Color Fixer titled  **The Red Mist** from the Backstreets of District 23. She was renowned throughout the City for her immense strength and her sense of justice as a protector of the weak. After meeting Carmen, she joined the Seed of Light Project team, and through their research she gained the E.G.O. weapon Mimicry and became able to manifest her own E.G.O. as well. Kali was ultimately killed in the Outskirts defending the research team against an attack by the Head, though she killed two Claws and mortally wounded the Arbiter Garion in return. To the City, she simply disappeared, and is memorialized as a hero. Gebura is the "reincarnation" of Kali, having been created from her remains and possessing her memories.

A facsimile of Kali at her peak strength, after learning to manifest E.G.O, is created by Angela via the Library's Light in order to retrieve more information about her and possibly attract  The Blue Reverberation to the Library. This simulated Kali serves as an opponent on  Star of the City, as the second encounter of the middle-left column, also called  The Red Mist.

## Appearance

Kali wears the same outfit she was presented in during flashbacks related to her in *Lobotomy Corporation*: A greyish-brown leather longcoat, with a dark grey leather shirt and black straight cut pants underneath. She carries her E.G.O. weapon, Mimicry.

Compared to her present counterpart, her hair flows down to her hips and isn't as angular, along with a slightly brighter color. Additionally, her face lacks the scars she'd suffer fighting against the Head's assault.

## Personality

Much like other character's memories say, Kali presents a bold and steadfast personality, willing to risk her life in the Library in order to aid the Seed of Light Project with knowledge on Cogito.

## Story

### Background

Kali, the woman who became the Red Mist, started off as an orphan in the Backstreets of District 23. She endured the cruelty of the Backstreets and the bloody gang wars between Syndicates, and resolved to become a strong Fixer who could protect those around her from the same things she had endured. Even the betrayal of those she held dear, while disillusioning, did not break her faith. As her strength grew, she continued to use it to defend the weak, and she became widely regarded as one of the strongest, most famous, and most heroic Fixers in the City. She was eventually recognized by the Hana Association and given the Color of "The Red Mist", named for the thick mist of blood she left in the wake of battle.

She was eventually recruited by Carmen for the Seed of Light Project, and became a dedicated member of its cause, determined to protect the team and ensure the project's success. It was here that she was given both her E.G.O. weapon and armor, the former extracted from a separate source, and the latter manifested from Kali's own will. Kali is thus the first known person to have fully manifested E.G.O..

Ultimately, she died defending the research team from an attack by the Head led by the Arbiter Garion, managing to mortally wound the Arbiter in the process. Her remains were used by the survivors to create the Sephirot Gebura, who possesses Kali's memories but considers herself distinct. Meanwhile, to the people of the City, Kali simply vanished.

In the present-day scenario, Angela recreated Kali in the hopes of reattracting Argalia, a different Color Fixer who had been seeking out information on the long-missing Fixer for unknown purposes, to the Library. This Kali is merely a simulated entity made out of the Library's Light, only able to be created because remnants of Kali are left within the facility that has become the Library. Because most of the Patron Librarians were former coworkers of Kali, Angela refuses to let them fight against Kali, as it would be bad for both parties.

### In-game

After the Blue Reverberation fled the Library, Angela poses a question to Roland, asking if he recalls the Blue Reverb's desire to find the remnants of the Red Mist. Following that, she proposes to lure the Blue Reverberation back in with a hypothetical book of Kali. Roland asks if Angela really intends to book Gebura, and she responds that she would not be so heartless. Instead, as enough memories of the Red Mist remained, she was able to create a simulacrum of Kali out of the Light and invite her.

During the dialogue between Kali and Angela, Kali initially being confused and hostile. After being offered the key to assisting the research team in acquiring Cogito in exchange for answering a few questions, Kali reluctantly complies with the director's request. Angela inquires on the current state of the Old Laboratory, where she verifies that the recruitment of Ayin, Elijah, Gabriel, Michelle, Giovanni, Daniel, and Benjamin had taken place, and that Enoch had recently died. Following this, she starts on the potential of the mounting resentment against Carmen, at which point Kali gets agitated. Angela backs down, instead enquiring on the reason for Kali's selfless actions as a Fixer. Kali reaffirms that she was willing to go through this much because of her genuine belief in Carmen, and that she'd assist the research team in any way she could with the strength she had. With that, Angela lets her in, informing her of the trial she is to face. Kali remarks that she prefers the method of the reception, believing that it is a clean way with no questions asked.

After the reception, Roland and Angela discuss the potential of E.G.O, it's separation yet similarities to the Distortion, and finally the requirements to manifesting it (that being the possession of a sincere desire.) The Blue Reverberation, while the target of the reception, would not exactly arrive in a conventional fashion...

### Key Page story

The Red Mist’s Page
When I first had the sword in my grip, I didn’t feel anything in particular. All I could tell is that it’s just a big, heavy greatsword; nothing out of the ordinary other than its appearance. But when I held the sword a few days later to protect a coworker of mine, I heard a voice. It was the voice of someone desperately yearning for something. Unfortunately, the meaning of that voice was lost on me. Rather… it wasn’t even human speech. An awkward sound mimicking somebody. Noises of teeth grinding, bones crackling, mingling with flesh. Some things collide, fall apart, and mix in irregular patterns as if to mimic the way humans speak. However, that sound was too violent and sharp. The strong obsession of an empty one. Attachment. Void. I’m not sure what word I should use to define this.
One thing I understood was that only I could hear that voice, and that it rang in my head rather than my ears. The stronger and clearer my aim to protect someone became, the louder the noise in my head got. Anxious that my mind might be consumed by the voice if I let it weaken my will, I tried my best to pretend that I didn’t hear it. The eyes on the blade carefully observed me as I fought the voice in my head. The piercing gaze persisted as if to replace me if I faltered even for a second; it made me feel hazy sometimes. The “voice” was only a bunch of grinding noises at the beginning, but it slowly learned to speak over time. Soon enough, it started speaking in a language that I could understand, though it stammered a bit. It takes human hide to protect human flesh. A shell… It kept asking for a shell. I couldn’t stop the voice, so the most I could do was ignore it.
Even though there was danger in using it, its power was formidable; with it, I protected many a person, and cut down many a threat. The voice became stronger and deeper with the more blood the blade drank. One day, it asked a sharp question: “Don’t you desire a human shell as well?” When I think back on it, the question might not have been aimed at me specifically. It would only say whatever it wanted to say. It wouldn’t try to convince or allure me. All it uttered was monologue. Yet, I was frozen stiff when I heard that. It kept saying something. Are our lives really worth the blood I spilt for them? It wasn’t actually capable of forming such detailed sentences, but my head took it that way for some reason… Maybe I was thinking to myself.
I denied its claim at the start. I’d never provoked anyone first. I’d only acted to protect others from an approaching danger. But, I felt a small part of myself waver from what the voice said. What will remain when I keep washing away blood with blood? A bloodstained shell would be all that is left.
I collapsed for a moment; but I didn’t stop thinking. If I broke down, I might be in danger as Carmen warned. Carmen… Right, Carmen would’ve been different. Nothing could possibly beat the glitter in her eyes that shines as she pioneers a new path. Those honest, virtuous eyes… Even when someone jeered at her speech, even when everyone despaired in the face of an obstacle that brought progress to a halt, Carmen never stopped looking after others. She would always take the initiative to lead all of them. If I can protect a person like that, maybe this place will change? Yes. As long as I can protect that one person.
As my thoughts became clearer, I couldn’t just sit down. My body acted before my head could decide what to do. I don’t exactly remember what happened then. When I finally took a grip on my rationality in a vast mindscape and came back to my senses, my body was burning hot. Is this rage? Have I been taken over to the point where I can’t even see ahead? But I felt so calm, refreshed even. My head was kept cool, while my heart leading the body was aflame. It wasn’t long until I felt that something was different. On solid armor, there was a layer of something tough and dense, but it wasn’t fabric… A veil of mist was covering me. Astonished, I moved around and shook my limbs several times, and the veil dissipated soon after.
When Carmen learned of this, she didn’t say much. She didn’t make a big fuss about it or suggest trying something with it right away. She only said that wielding this power is more important than simply manifesting it, so I shouldn’t be lazy… She went back to work after leaving that peculiar piece of advice. Maybe she didn’t want me to feel too much pressure.
As more time passed, I could use the armor for longer, and eventually got to draw out its full power. I had a weapon and armor that resonate with my emotions. Using them, I could protect more people, and I was able to draw forth more durability and strength. The researchers seemed to be struggling to make progress with their work, but it was alright. I believed in them to make it through, and I just had to be quicker to do my job in the meantime. However, not long after, the incident happened all too suddenly. No, maybe it wasn’t so sudden. The sign was there.
Just around this corner, I can hear a child crying; she’s sitting in front of a door. One of the two children Carmen took in died in a failed experiment. Unlike Lisa who was wary and reluctant to open up to us, Enoch showed interest in our research, and volunteered to be a test subject the other day. Enoch’s speech was so concise and on point, everyone was shocked. He wasn’t afraid, and he wasn’t shaking… His voice was unswerving and gentle. Enoch’s eyes weren’t those of a naive little kid. His words and thoughts were surprisingly deep and mature; even I was astonished. I sometimes wondered what made this kid have such thoughts. His eyes seemed to have already seen so much of this world’s despair and misfortune. However, it was still no reason to allow a kid to participate in the experiments. Carmen spent several nights agonizing over the matter.
The experiment was authorized at last, though I didn’t want to know what they thought of it anymore. What were they going to do, holding the hand of that little kid? I had to wonder if we were that desperate. But I shrugged it off. I wasn’t one to stop him from doing what he chose to do.
“You should’ve been the one to die…” The other kid, who was now all alone, mumbled crying. Her words had no weight to it. She probably spouted what she didn’t sincerely mean, because the situation was too much for her.
“Yeah… I— I should have died.” Carmen’s answer, on the other hand, was likely sincere. Everyone stood still. A crack appeared in our minds which we never thought would crumble. Maybe we all expected it to happen deep down.
Carmen’s state worsened with each passing day, like a rusting nail. The sunny eyes of the woman who had brought us together were now cloudy, and she spoke less and less. Her voice was lifeless, and she had gotten so cold; it wouldn’t have come to anyone’s surprise if she died at any moment. She didn’t bother trying to look okay. I think it was better that way. Everyone in the laboratory felt constraint in her presence. They viewed Carmen in different ways. Reproachful looks of those resenting her for bringing them so far, only to let go of her responsibility. Concerned looks of those worried that something might happen to her. And I guess there were some who had no thoughts. The research went on quietly, but not for long.

## Kali

* Stats
* Resistances

### Passive Abilities

KaliRetaliate
The Strongest

After manifesting EGO:
The Red Mist

Kali appears in the Red Mist reception, herself being the only opponent. She is equipped with her own Key Page, The Red Mist's Page. She has a Deck of 6 cards.

She has 700  HP and 270  Stagger. Her  Max. Emotion Level is 5 and has two  Speed Dice of 1-7. She has 6  **Lights**.

She possess four  Unique Passive Abilities.

* **Kali**: Restore 1 additional  Light and draw 1 more page each Scene. When HP drops to 350, fully recover Stagger Resist and manifest E.G.O. HP cannot drop to 350 before this occurs (Once per Reception). After losing "E.G.O. Manifested" status, regain it in 3 scenes. If the character enters a new Act after having manifested E.G.O. this reception, manifest it on the second scene. **(Cost: 3) (Enemy Only)**
* **Retaliate**: Gain a Counter dice (Slash, 4-8) at combat start. **(Cost: 5)**
* **The Strongest**: Choose the  Speed Dice with the lowest value. The Speed values of the dice change to the maximum possible value. **(Cost: 3)**

After manifesting E.G.O., she additionally gains the following passive:

* **The Red Mist**: All dice gain +2 Power. Can use "Greater Split: Horizontal". Each Scene resistances against a random type become **Normal** while the rest are set to **Endured**. For every enemy defeated, gain a stack of "Red Mist", which boost the Power of all dice. If the character fails to deal 40+ damage from attacks within a Scene, take Stagger damage equal to 40% of Max. Stagger Resist. Lose "E.G.O. Manifested" status upon becoming Staggered.

Kali can drop the next Books per  Emotion level:

2 Copies
3 Copies
5 Copies

     1x **Upstanding Slash** | **Range**:  Melee - **Cost** : 2  Light
If 8 or more damage was dealt with this page, draw 1 page and reduce the cost of all other "Upstanding Slashes" by 1.
- 6~10  Blunt
     1x **Spear** | **Range**:  Melee - **Cost** : 2  Light
If 8 or more damage was dealt with this page, draw 1 page and reduce the cost of all other "Spears" by 1.
- 3~8  Pierce
- 3~7  Pierce
     1x **Level Slash** | **Range**:  Melee - **Cost** : 2  Light
If 8 or more damage was dealt with this page, restore 2 light and reduce the cost of all other "Level Slashes" by 1.
- 5~9  Slash
On Hit:, Inflict 3   next Scene
- 5~8  Slash
     1x **Focus Spirit** | **Range**:  Melee - **Cost** : 2  Light
- 8~12  Block
- 5~7  Blunt
     1x **Onrush** | **Range**:  Melee - **Cost** : 3  Light
If target is defeated or staggered, use this page again on a random enemy.
     1x **Greater Split: Vertical** | **Range**:  Melee - **Cost** : 5  Light
On Hit: Destroy a Combat page set on another random speed die of the target.
     1x **Greater Spilt: Horizontal** | **Range**:  Mass Attack - **Cost**: 6  Light
**Dice**:
Mass Attack: Summation:
- 28~42  Slash
On Hit: Inflict 5  Bleed next Scene.

## Dialogue

* **Floor of Language** = "...What bullshit are you trying to pull here?"
* **Floor of General Works** = "I've gotta figure out how strong the enemy is first..."
* **Floor of General Works** = "Are you part of a Fixer Office? Or some kind of Syndicate?"
* **Floor of Philosophy** = "Something's off about the atmosphere. What's up with her?"
* **Floor of Philosophy** = "Why do you talk like you know me?"

**Death**
* **Death by Gebura** = "She acted like me... How did..."
* **Death by Roland or any other librarian** = "I can't lose to these strangers..."
* **Death by Binah** = "...Why is there someone capable of wielding those power in a place like this?"

**Victory**
* **Floor of Philosophy** = "...That, definitely wasn't a pushover."

**Intermission**
* **Activation of E.G.O. (Floor of Language)** = "I can't stop here..."
* **Activation of E.G.O. (Floor of Philosophy)** = "...I'm counting on you. Give me the strength to tear my foes apart."
* **Activation of E.G.O. (Floor of Philosophy)** = "Let's start this for real. I'll crush you all..."
* **Activation of E.G.O. (Floor of General Works)** = "All right... I see how tough you are."
* **Activation of E.G.O. (Floor of General Works)** = "Let's try and protect what we cherish here."
* **E.G.O. disabled due to being staggered (Floor of Language)** = "Damnit... I'll break you all..."
* **E.G.O. disabled due to being staggered (Floor of General Works)** = "...! Shoot, I lowered my guard..."
* **E.G.O. disabled due to being staggered (Floor of Philosophy)** = "Was that... a Singularity...? I let my guard down..."

## Gallery

### Card Art

Upstanding SlashSpearLevel SlashFocus SpiritOnrushGreater Split: VerticalManifest E.G.O./Greater Split: Horizontal
## Trivia

* Kali had a particular liking for smoking and clothes fit for exercise.
* Her title and Color comes from the thick, bloody mist Mimicry creates from torn flesh upon cleaving an opponent, along with the appearance of her E.G.O.
	+ This is a reference to *Lobotomy Corporation*, where employees killed by Nothing There's bipedal form would be minced into a cloud of blood instead of leaving a corpse.
* The music that plays during when her E.G.O. manifests was originally a draft for a theme for the Floor of Language.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gebura Episode 2
2. ↑ Gebura Episode 3
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Library Of Ruina Art Book* Vol. I pg. 392: *"Although it couldn't be shown in game, a cloud of blood forms from torn flesh whenever the Red Mist's Mimicry cleaves her opponent. The title was given because of the thick, bloody mist she leaves after battle and the appearance of her E.G.O. armor."*
(Developer's Note from director Kim Jihoon)
4. ↑ The Red Mist's Page
5. ↑ Angela: *"There’s a few things the Red Mist left behind, and I could use them to invite the Red Mist in her former glory as our guest. I think I could recreate her somehow. Though she can only exist within the bounds of the Library, of course."*
(The Red Mist Episode 1, Pre-Battle)
6. ↑ Angela: *"And I plan to limit certain Patron Librarians from receiving the Red Mist."*
Roland: *"Cause she’s too tough for them?"*
Angela: *"That’s not the reason, no. Could the Red Mist stomach wielding her blade against those she worked with? It’d clearly have adverse effects on both sides."*
(The Red Mist Episode 1, Pre-Battle)
7. ↑ Library Of Ruina Art Book Vol. I pg. 393: *"The music that plays when the Red Mist's E.G.O. is awakened was one of the drafts for the level 1 BGM for the Floor of Language. As soon as I heard the track, I got the feeling that it fits Kali better than it does Gebura, so I kept it safe and waited for the Red Mist update."* (Developer's Note from game designer Lee Yumi)