The cave may be a place where there is a danger or internal conflict that the Hero has not had to face until now. As he approaches it, he must make preparations before facing the unknown.
There, he will face some doubts and fears that will arise for the first time in his adventure. Perhaps he needs some time to reflect on his journey , this brief pause will help the audience understand the great challenge that lies ahead.
Approval
It may be a dangerous physical test or a deep inner electrical contractors email list crisis that the Hero must face in order to survive, or for the world he lives in to continue to exist. Whether facing his greatest fear or his deadliest enemy , he must use all the skills and experience he has gathered on the way to the cave to overcome his most difficult challenge.
Only with some kind of “fall” can the Hero be reborn , experiencing a metaphorical resurrection that helps him gain more power or knowledge to fulfill his destiny or reach the end of the journey. This is the climax of the story, in which everything he holds dear is put at risk. Whether he fails or not, his life will never be the same again .
The reward
After defeating the enemy, surviving death, and overcoming his greatest challenge, the Hero is transformed into a new state , becoming a stronger person and sometimes even receiving a prize.
The reward can come in many forms, but whatever it may be, it will facilitate their return to the Ordinary World, so the Hero must put celebrations aside and prepare for the final leg of their journey.
The way back
Now he must return home with his reward, but danger is replaced by acclaim.
However, the Hero's journey is not over yet, in fact, we have the last stage of his journey, which will be the moment to choose between his personal objective and that of a greater cause .
The resurrection
At this stage, it is time to have his final and most dangerous encounter with death. The final battle also represents something greater than the Hero's own existence , bringing consequences to his Ordinary World.
If he fails, others will suffer and this puts more weight on his shoulders. Ultimately, the Hero will succeed, destroy his enemy and emerge from the battle refreshed !
The return as an elixir
This is the final stage of the Hero's journey where he returns home, transformed, mature and more intelligent . This may bring new hope to those left behind or a direct solution to their problems.
The final reward can be a cause for celebration or self-fulfillment, representing change, success, and proof of your journey . The return home also signals that your enemies will be punished, and your allies rewarded .
All stages are essential for the development of the story, as long as they are adapted to fit within it. The journey applies more to fictional narratives, but it can help in the expansion and construction of ideas, serving as a guide for the writer.