The man in black sneered, as if he could see through everything. His gaze was profound and devoid of any emotion. He took a slow step forward, and the air around him seemed to be oppressed by his aura, becoming heavy and stagnant.
"You still don't understand. All your struggles are in vain." He said, his voice low and carrying a certain unquestionable threat. "Do you think your choices can change your destiny? Destiny is already predetermined."
Kalle's heart pounded violently, as if the man in black's words had directly struck his heart. Every time he tried to break free from the shackles, every time he strived to step out of the shadow of pain, he was mercilessly pulled back to the starting point by these words.
"Destiny, predetermined." Kalle repeated in a low voice, his eyes filled with complex emotions. There was a time when he also believed that he could surpass everything, change everything, and even break through the fetters of destiny. However, every time he faced reality, all his efforts seemed so insignificant.
Darlene tightly grasped Kalle's hand and felt the increasingly intense struggle and wavering within him. She knew that Kalle had always been burdened with a heavy past, and these invisible shackles were gradually pulling at his soul.
"No, Kalle." Her tone was firm, yet carried a deep sense of helplessness. "You've never given up on yourself. No matter what the man in black says, our choices are still in our own hands."
Kalle fell silent. His gaze swept through Darlene's eyes, and seeing the determination in her eyes, the suppressed pain and self-blame in his heart suddenly became less heavy. Although he still didn't know how to face the future, he knew that without Darlene, he would never be able to overcome the demons within his heart.
"You're right, Darlene." Kalle's voice was low, with an unprecedented resolve. "No matter what destiny has in store, I will walk with you."
Upon hearing these words, the corners of the man in black's mouth lifted slightly, and his gaze was even more filled with mockery. "Your persistence is truly laughable." He sneered. "Do you think you can change all this?"
Kalle clenched his fists, his face serious. "We will try to change it."
At this moment, the man in black gave a cold laugh, then pointed with his hand. Suddenly, the air around them became even more oppressive, as if all the space was being devoured by darkness, and even the light began to gradually fade away. Kalle and Darlene only felt an inexplicable coldness approaching, as if the whole world had become deathly still in an instant.
"Do you think that with just a momentary determination and courage, you can defeat me?" The man in black's voice echoed again in the empty space, carrying an icy power. "All your perseverance is useless. You think your choices can withstand the torrent of destiny, but you're wrong."
Kalle widened his eyes, trying to see the man in black clearly, but all his senses became dull, as if completely suppressed by this invisible pressure. He tried his best to break free from this oppression, but found that he couldn't move at all.
"Kalle!" Darlene called out urgently. Her voice seemed even weaker in this oppressive air. "We can't give up! You can't give up on yourself!"
Kalle took a deep breath, and it was as if something in his heart had been awakened by Darlene's voice. He lowered his head and looked at Darlene, who was tightly holding his hand, his eyes flickering with complex emotions.
"I won't let you get hurt again." Kalle said softly, his tone full of firmness and determination. There seemed to be a certain power in his voice that dispelled the invisible oppressive feeling and brought his mind back to peace.
"That's right. Our destiny is in our hands, and no one can decide everything for us." Darlene looked at him deeply, her eyes filled with an unquestionable light. "No matter how the man in black threatens or manipulates us, we will persevere to the end."
Just then, the man in black's expression suddenly changed. The original contemptuous smile disappeared, replaced by an indescribable look of astonishment and anger.
"It's impossible..." He murmured, a trace of imperceptible shock flashing in his eyes. "How could you possibly..."
Kalle suddenly turned around, his eyes shining with light, and the long-lost power within him burst out at this moment. He was no longer the young man struggling in the darkness, but a warrior who had awakened and possessed a strong determination.
"We're not pawns that you can manipulate easily." Kalle's voice was firm, like a sharp blade piercing into the man in black's heart.
Darlene followed closely behind, her eyes burning with an invincible fire. "We're no longer who we used to be. Man in black, you'll never be able to defeat us."
The man in black's expression became even darker. His eyes were filled with anger and a killing intent. "Do you think you can defeat me?"
At this moment, the entire space seemed to start changing. The temperature in the air dropped suddenly, and the darkness began to gradually devour everything. However, Kalle and Darlene held each other's hands tightly, their eyes filled with an unprecedented firmness and determination.
"We will definitely break through this darkness." Kalle's voice, like thunder piercing through the night, resounded in the empty space.
The man in black suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Then let's see how far you can go."
Before the words were even finished, a powerful dark force suddenly surged forward. The surrounding air almost froze, as if everything was being devoured by this force. Kalle felt a huge pressure approaching, but his resolve did not waver.
"Kalle, close your eyes!" Darlene suddenly whispered. Her voice carried a reassuring power. "We'll get through this together."
Kalle didn't hesitate. He tightly held Darlene's hand, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. He no longer ran away, nor did he look back. He knew that the real battle had begun, and he was ready to face everything.
The man in black's cold laughter sounded again, while Kalle and Darlene leaned closely against each other, their hearts and bodies tightly connected. They found a glimmer of hope in this darkness, like the light of dawn.
At this moment, they knew that no matter what, they would never give up on each other again.