The Flux's Flower

Whispers

After several hours of travel over the ocean, Nano was getting a little stir crazy. Eventually she fell asleep alongside Lalna, only to be rudely awakened just a few hours later by Shadow on the intercom "We're here. Nano, I need you to come up to the bridge"

Nano grudgingly stood and made her way to the bridge "So, what is this barrier you speak of?"

Shadow pointed at the forward console, to which Nano looked over and saw a massive fog bank looming ahead. "This is where your artifact comes into play" Shadow said. "I need you to open a path to the island"

"and how do you expect me to do that?"

Shadow seemed pained to explain, but he crossed his arms and started talking "Artifacts naturally resonate with each other. Locate the apple and direct me to it"

Nano nodded, closed her eyes, and concentrated, searching out the apple. However, once she found it, several voices crashed onto her mind

Crystal eyes, a golden key
A magic apple, found on the sacred tree.
three rings, power diverse
Collect them all, an ancient curse

She cried out and stumbled back, the sudden voices fading. Shadow looked down inquisitively.

Nano was shaking "I-I heard voices...something about the artifacts and a curse..."

Shadow shook his head "The Garden of Eden invades the mind of those who get too close. It whispers secrets and promises into their head, pulling them in with its magic before breaking their sanity"

Nano glared at Shadow "Gee, would have been nice to know before I tried to get to it."

Nano stood and went to storm off, but Shadow shot an arrow at the door. Nano whirled around "What was that for?!"

"Calm down. I wouldn't have brought you here if I thought you couldn't handle it. Yes, it can break people, but you have a strong will. Along with the eyes, the most its magic can break is your concentration, and that's only if you let it."

Nano unclenched her fists and took a breath. She looked up at Shadow begrudgingly "Fine. I'll try again"

Shadow nodded "Thank you."

Nano glared at him again before turning to the fog, once again closing her eyes and reaching out to the apple. The voices started again almost immediately, but Nano was ready.

Children of flux-

"Shut up"

Shadow was confused "Excuse me?"

Nano kicked him "Talking to the island, but you shut up too"

"I-"

Nano kicked him again, and he backed away, crossing his arms

Look, I don't care about your poems or secrets or anything like that, I just need access to this island.

The voices silenced, as if deliberating, though when they spoke, it was directly to Nano, not twisted whispers

Very well, child of flux, as you hold the crystal eyes, you may enter. But beware child, just because you hold the eyes, does not mean you are exempt from the trials.

Trials? But the voices had gone silent. She opened her eyes to see an island below. She glanced over to let Shadow know, but he'd already noticed, and was in the process of landing. She went and woke Lalna to let him know just as the ship touched down. Over the intercom, Shadow spoke in a pilots voice "Here we are everyone." The exit began to open and light flooded in "Welcome...to the Garden of Eden"