Chronicles From The Future: The amazing story of Paul Amadeus Dienach

We were sitting far enough from other people that no one could hear us. Stefan kept silent for a minute, staring far into the open sea. He looked moved but he carried on. “We saw it and that explains the, unknown to the older generations, feeling of immense happiness that has filled our hearts since then. We saw it thanks to the Nibelvirch—the supreme Virch—after thousands of tormenting doubts, many tears, many moments of moral weakness and despair, and after being prepared for centuries by the Valley of the Roses. And you cannot say that Alexis Volky was some demi-god who was the only one that possessed and could convey all this wonderful direct knowledge. He was a mere mortal like the rest of us; only, before him, the Oversyn was something unknown to the world. He was the first one to withstand the ‘new vibration’ that had proven fatal to many others; he was the first survivor.”

Doctor Diseny started heading towards us right after Stefan had given his word that the next day he would bring me some books about the Nibelvirch, the

Samith, Alexis Volky and the Oversyn. Oh God… I couldn’t believe all the incredible things I had just heard…

(Back in Stefan’s mansion)12-X

(Midnight)

So that was it. No more sea. We all returned to Stefan’s mansion yesterday morning and are already yearning to go back. They wanted to depart early in order to avoid the heat, so everybody arrived tired; everybody except me that I’ve now become accustomed to sleepless nights.

While on our way to the villa, Stefan talked to me about how tiring the lifestyle of those who currently live in the big urban centres is. It seemed as if he was trying to give me an explanation although I could never understand this kind of modest and apologetic tone he sometimes assumed when he spoke. Was it a sign of modesty? Or was it a sign of guilt for being one of the members of the majority who just “rested” after his two-year service? I don’t know. But he told me that other people too, including the “Cives workers”, often gave up their cities and lived for a long period of time in the countryside. It wasn’t only a habit of the “unemployed”. No one, he says, could live in the modern, massive and populous cities for ever.

Look at that! Who would imagine that I would miss my little room? I’m so well settled here that I’ve started to love this familiar table, the small orange chest of drawers of books, my deep and comfortable armchairs, my glass vases and my few other possessions—few, but clearly mine.

We rested a bit in the morning and then, as agreed, went for an afternoon walk with Sylvia having told Stefan and Hilda that we were going for a tour above the lakes.

We flew over the old Bignasco, looking from above at the huge rectangular, crimson palace, the Civesgard that rested on the western mountain slope. I had seen many other buildings from above, in various places, but this one made a strong impression on me because of its bold colours that completely contrasted with the usual pastels that prevailed in this land.

From the terrace on which we landed, I could see the hanging gardens. It felt very refreshing and relaxing to be near them. Further away, on the horizon, young men and women in individual flying machines that resembled huge, mechanical wings were flying over and around the opposite mountains. I do not know why I'm so happy when I’m near her. Even this quick switch, from the sea to the mountains within a few hours, filled me with joy.

There are very few people, not even twenty, on this huge terrace and the adjoining large central hall with the immense aquarium. That’s a tremendous contrast to the thousands of visitors on the beaches, with their shouting, their laughter and their games.

Suddenly, Silvia turned to me and said, “I think about those places, behind the mountains, and that there are more lakes there, just as beautiful as ours.”

My heart was beating fast. The place behind the mountains was Switzerland. I didn’t say anything; I let her finish.

“We’ll go there, right? It’ll be so beautiful. I don’t know what happens to me, Andreas, but every time I travel to Switzerland, I don’t feel any particular joy. I feel as always. But when I look at these places from a distance, only from a distance, I feel melancholic, almost nostalgic…”

I had said nothing to Silvia or even Stefan about my old love for Anna. Every time I talk about my old life, I am extremely careful not to let anything slip out regarding that person, as if she is a secret charm that I want to protect from any foreign, profane human heart.

Silvia’s last words became a pretext for re-evaluating this discovery of mine. I feel like my old secret is still inaccessible and well-guarded in my soul and that nobody knows anything.

“So, what do these places remind you of?” I asked her.