I was never meant to write. Yet a story began to haunt me—persistent, impossible to ignore. It needed to take shape, to exist beyond my own mind. Writing imposed itself as an obvious necessity. What was supposed to be a single book gradually grew in scope. The plot deepened, characters emerged, carrying their strengths, flaws, and contradictions. Without realizing it, an entire universe took form—coherent, alive, autonomous. While the NEOM Cycle is designed to unfold over multiple volumes, its universe is not limited to them. It is meant to welcome other narratives, other stories, expanding an even larger world.

Neom was born from my influences—works that left a lasting mark and shaped my imagination. Stories where worlds are broken, societies are under strain, and characters evolve in hostile environments that reveal their true nature. The mythological scope of Star Wars, the post-apocalyptic brutality of Mad Max, and the relentless social critique of The Hunger Games deeply informed my vision. I added the cyberpunk aesthetic and identity-driven reflection of Altered Carbon, the political and philosophical depth of Dune, and the deeply human, almost intimate portrayal of survival explored in The Walking Dead. Neom is the synthesis of these influences: a harsh yet credible futuristic world, shaped by power struggles, impossible choices, and shattered destinies. A universe where technology does not save humanity—but puts it to the test.