Ganondorf reached down to pick up the container. Despite its fall and the scuffle earlier, the container remained intact. The organ within it pulsed with an eerie purple light. Ganondorf leaned in closer to examine the object. It was a heart, one that had possibly belonged to some gargantuan creature, but was now shrivelled and decayed. The greying lump of inert flesh was patterned with a multitude of criss-crossing veins, and possessed an unhealthy purplish tinge, that gave it an eldritch, unearthly aspect, especially in combination with the eerie purple glow the organ gave off. Ganondorf was definitely unnerved by the purple glow, and he nearly dropped the container in shock when the heart appeared to speak.

Who dares, said a voice barely louder than the driest whisper, who dares enter my domain and assault my champion?

Ganondorf said nothing.

The heart seemed to fix on Ganondorf's position. I sense power in you. You are capable of wielding great magick. But that does not give you permission to threaten the Guardian of Light in her own home.

Ganondorf recalled the woman he had encountered earlier. She must be this "Guardian of Light" the heart was referring to. Maybe she could convince the enchanted organ to treat him more leniently. He headed upstairs to find where she was hiding and get her to explain exactly where and when he had found himself.

Alex had barely managed to calm herself down before she heard the sound of the doorknob turning. She forced her weight against the door, but the intruder was stronger, sending her sprawling across the room as he shoved the door open. Quickly gathering her bearings, Alex turned to face the stranger from the foyer and drew her sword. As he approached, she swung it towards him, only for the stranger to catch her wrist mid swing. As Alex struggled to free herself from his grasp, the stranger turned and dragged her towards the hallway. 'Hey!' Alex cried, 'what do you want with me?!'

'Answers.'

'What…'

'Where am I, who you are, and why am I being threatened by a disembodied heart!' the stranger snapped.

'How… Just let me go!' Alex yelled back.

In response, the stranger muttered under his breath and dragged Alex downstairs. He picked up the essence of Mantorok and thrust it into Alex's arms. Alex stared in shock as the essence began to speak.

This individual is impudent enough to threaten both the Corpse God and his champion. He may be powerful, but he lacks patience. Or, for that matter, manners.

The stranger let out a mocking snort of laughter. 'As far as I'm aware, the Sacred Realm has never contained decaying manors or disembodied organs. All I want to know is what in the name of all the ancestors am I doing here.'

Alex scowled. 'Threatening me is what you're doing. Just how did you get here?'

'I am just as unaware as you are'

'What the hell do you mean by "Sacred Realm" anyway?'

Ganondorf looked at Alex in disbelief. 'Tell me you did not just say that. The Sacred Realm is the resting place of the Triforce. Since each piece has found itself a bearer, the Sacred Realm lies empty. A perfect place to banish undesirables to. Everyone knows this.'

Alex looked confused. 'I have never heard of "Triforces" or "Sacred Realms" until just now.'

If I may interrupt this conversation…

Both Alex and Ganondorf turned to look at the essence of Mantorok.

I can sense that this intruder has been sent from a distant era. The power required for such a feat must be immense. I presume that whoever sent this man here was attempting to send him someplace else, possibly this Sacred Realm.

Alex was stunned. 'Perhaps we should sit down somewhere.'