From an early age, Marvin had been adept at swimming. After school, he would often partake in swimming lessons, which explained the sizable pool located at the mansion, constructed by Mr. Rama for his enjoyment. Once, their family knew great happiness, a time untouched by the eventual allures of Sonya that caught Mr. Rama.
One night, Marvin plunged himself deep into the river's embrace, holding his breath with all his might. He couldn't rise to the surface while Markus' presence loomed on the cliff above, for the beam of Markus' flashlight played upon the water's surface, revealing his hiding place.
Only when it was safe did Marvin burst forth to the surface, gasping and coughing violently as he sucked in air, and with the last vestiges of his strength, he swam to shore.
Reaching land, he coughed out water, pounding on his chest repeatedly, gasping for breath, "Cough... cough!"
Memories of his mother filled his thoughts; he had to rise, to act. Staggering, he ventured into the surrounding forest by the river, seeking help from any villagers who might aid in his mother's rescue.
But his body was weak, his breath erratic, his vision blurring, all balance lost. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Come morning...
Bright sunlight pierced Marvin's eyes, stirring him awake. Disoriented, he looked around only to realize he was still within the forest's confines.
The tears came then, as he thought the previous night a mere nightmare, yet the reality was all too tangible.
"Mama!" Grief overtook him, along with the bitter sense of failure to protect his mother.
But he couldn't remain idle; he had to see to his mother's condition. Marvin stood, his body weak but driven by a desperate hope that she might still live.
It took two hours for Marvin to make it back home, overcoming the winding path's obstacles. He would not yield until he confirmed his mother's state, clasping onto hope for her survival.
From afar, Marvin's heart lurched at the sight of his now unrecognizable home, crowded with villagers. The night's events became clear – his home had burned to the ground. He was certain the sinister-faced man was to blame.
Bleak sorrow washed over him, heavy sobs wracking his frame as he imagined his mother's fate. "Arrrggghhh... Mama!"
"Mama!"
"Don't leave Marvin, Mama!"
He yearned to rush there but halted as his glance caught several men in black, their stares fixed on him. Were these the accomplices of last night's villainy?
His heart raced as the men in black began to advance. Marvin attempted to flee, only to fall, his weakened state betraying him.
Panic gripped him when he spotted a pair of shoes before him. Looking up, he recognized the man extending a helping hand was Uncle Theo. They had met briefly when Uncle Theo had recently visited, offering Marvin and Mrs. Rena a place to stay with him.
Mrs. Rena's relationship with Uncle Theo had been strained due to her disapproval of her brother's occupation, exacerbated by Mr. Rama's stern prohibition of any communication with her family, stemming from the enduring resentment over her parents' disapproval of their wedding.
Thus, Marvin had limited knowledge of Uncle Theo – an adopted child taken in by Mrs. Rena's parents, yet wholly embraced as one of their own.
Grabbing Uncle Theo's outstretched hand, Marvin rose to face him.
Uncle Theo shared a grave video on his phone, a news report declaring Marvin and his mother dead, victims to the consuming flames. It was perhaps this news that compelled Uncle Theo to hurry to Duku Village to seek the truth.
Uncle Theo himself reeled from the inability to protect his sister and Marvin and was astounded to spot Marvin amidst the onlookers from afar.
But why were the small bones found amidst the charred debris?
Was the fire a premeditated act?
Does it indicate his sister was slain?
With this revelation, Uncle Theo commanded his men to detain Marvin.
Despite being pronounced deceased alongside his mother, Marvin watched in disbelief as his father conveyed his sorrow to the throng of reporters. Yet the words only served to stoke Marvin's resentment, suspecting his father's display of grief was a mere facade.
"Marvin Leonardo has been declared dead. Henceforth, you are no longer Marvin," Uncle Theo stated, his voice devoid of inflection.
Hearing this, Marvin was gutted, then overwhelmed by tears. Why was misfortune his lot? Denied even a final embrace with his mother's remains.
Uncle Theo, sensing his despair, offered a comforting hand on Marvin's shoulder. "I apologize. I've failed to protect you. My base was besieged yesterday by a gang of losers. So, will you come with me to Australia? We cannot linger here; the enemies must not discover us."
"And what of Mother?"
"We will lay her to rest in a proper place," divulged Uncle Theo, who had retrieved Mrs. Rena's remains, now ready for a dignified burial.
Marvin was shattered, his tears a testament to the agony he imagined his mother endured at the hands of Markus and the fire that followed.
With determination, he wiped his eyes and knelt before Uncle Theo, "Please teach me to be strong. I must avenge the wrongs inflicted upon my mother. I will personally exterminate anyone involved in her murder," he declared, his voice rough with emotion.
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