Crossing the First Threshold/ Tests, Allies, Enemies

Stage five of the hero's journey is crossing the first threshold. Crossing the threshold means that the hero has now completely committed to the adventure. As the hero approaches the threshold, a final commitment is brought about through an internal or external force. An external force could be something like the villain killing, threatening, or kidnapping someone close to the hero. The hero now feels like there are no more options and he/she must accept the call to adventure. An internal force could be the little voice inside the heros head, pushing him to be brave and courageous. The hero may be bored with his normal day to day life and want something a little more adventurous, even if it means a great deal of change. Often times, a threshold guardian tries to block the hero from entering the "unknown". The threshold guardian tests the hero's commitment to adventure, and could be considered a mentor or an enemy.

In stage six of the hero's journey the hero encounters tests, allies, and enemies. Now that the hero is in an unfamiliar world, he/she will have to overcome obstacles and decided who to trust, and who not to trust. The new world is often a polar opposite of the ordinary world the hero just left. In this time of adjustment from the ordinary world to the special world, the hero undergoes a series of tests and trails. These tests prepare the hero for the greater battle ahead, and are usually not life-threatening. One of these tests would be whether the hero has a good judge of character or not. The hero will have to determine who is his enemy and who he can rely upon to be his allie.