The first chapter of XIAI is Book One: Awaken.

It follows Aevi, a woman haunted by visions she cannot explain. As they become more vivid, she begins to discover that they may not be visions at all — but memories. And they may not belong only to her.

Book One is the doorway into the wider XIAI universe.

The full meaning of XIAI is part of the story and will reveal itself over time.

At its heart is the idea that memory may be more than something we carry in our minds. It may be somewhere we can return to.

A connection between ourselves, those who came before us, and everything we have been taught to forget.

Because memory shapes identity.

What we remember and what is erased, rewritten or forgotten, influences how we understand ourselves and the world around us. In XIAI, memory isn't just personal. It can be inherited, hidden, accessed and controlled.

Yes.

Afrofuturism is part of XIAI's foundation, bringing together Black identity, ancestry, mythology, technology and imagined futures. But XIAI isn't about simply placing Black characters in the future. It's about building a future from a different point of view.

No.

The story begins on the page, but the ambition has always been bigger than one format. Film, animation, music and creative collaborations are becoming different ways to experience the world of XIAI. The story remains at the centre. The medium can change.

You don't need to be a comic-book reader to enter this world.

XIAI is for people who love science fiction, mystery, mythology, powerful characters and stories that leave you thinking after they're over. The themes can be complex, so XIAI is primarily created for an older teen and adult audience.

XIAI was created by writer and creative director Raphael O'Selle from a desire to see Black characters at the centre of the science-fiction worlds he grew up loving.

It remains independently created and creator-owned, while growing through collaborations with artists, filmmakers, musicians and other creatives who can bring new dimensions to the universe.

Be here at the beginning.

Join the XIAI community for first access to new stories, artwork, films, behind-the-scenes development and future releases. When Book One: Awaken arrives, the community will hear about it first.