ASCENT is set at the end of the 21st century, when climate collapse has driven much of humanity to the far North. Amid this fragile frontier, Nigerian astrobotanist Daniel and Finnish-Sami hydroponic farmer Mikha fall in love after a chance meeting on the ice. Their bond is deep, but their visions for survival diverge: Mikha is determined to remain and fight for the Earth, while Daniel is drawn to the stars, convinced that humanity’s future lies in colonizing new worlds.

As their relationship fractures, the story unfolds through the eyes of Zain, Daniel’s devoted companion. On the day Daniel departs for the spaceport, Zain slips away, chasing his scent across the city in a desperate bid to stay close to his pack leader. Through Zain’s journey, Ascent explores love, loss, and the human struggle between holding on and letting go in a world on the brink of transformation.