Black Garden

"A trillion timelines, and all at war. Like a thousand red flowers growing in a black garden."

- Lakshmi-2

The Black Garden is a separate dimenison not of any known space or time, and the birthplace of the Vex. A Vex portal to this location is on Mars. Guardians have to bring and wake Zydron, Gate Lord`s Eye to enter the gate of the garden, and destroy its heart, protected by Vex worshipers and the Sol Progeny. The destruction of its heart will heal the Traveler, lifting the shroud of Darkness and allowing Light to return to the Traveler. The victory also secured the Black Garden to the surface of Mars, making it accessible to the rest of the Guardians.

Long before any living being ever set foot in the Garden, tales of its existence were told throughout the system. In particular, the Warlock Pujari had a vision of the Garden when he drowned in the waters of the Shores of Time.

During the Taken War, Oryx and his Taken invaded the Garden through secret tunnels under Freehold. He was attempting to reawaken the Black Heart, but was foiled when the Guardian intervened.

Origins
Pujari's vision mentions that the Black Garden's existence is related to the Traveler's coming to Mars. However, he's careful to point out that "This is not the beginning but it is the reason." The Traveler did not create the Garden, but it's actions may have allowed the Garden to come into existence, because "In these things there is always symmetry." Pujari adds, "The Garden grows in both directions. It grows into tomorrow and yesterday. The red flowers bloom forever. There are gardeners now. They came into the garden in vessels of bronze and they move through the groves in rivers of thought." The gardeners in question likely refer to the Vex, though the same word is used in a somewhat different context in Ghost Fragment: Mysteries 2, which suggests that the Gardener is a powerful being that may predate the Vex.

Accessibility
The Black Garden is accessible through Mars, but is not part of Mars itself (initially, at least, after which it relocates to the other side of a blasted out hole in Freehold Station), and seemingly exists in its own separate plane. As a result, the Black Garden is only accessible in specific activities and cannot be visited legally during patrol mode.

Story Missions:
 * The Black Garden
 * A Ranger Found (Quest only)
 * Tenebrous Tunnels (Quest only)

Strikes:
 * The Undying Mind (strike)

Crucible:
 * Pantheon

Trivia
The garden was listed as being on Mars prior to the game's release.

List of appearances

 * Destiny