There are eight steps a person must take to become a hero, most noticably an
epic hero, in Greek Mythology. These eight steps are the call, the threshold,
the challenges, the abyss, the transformation, the revelation, the atonement,
and the return. The hero's invitation to adventure can lead to the opportunity
to face the unknown or gain some valuable experience. The hero must pass through
the threshold to begin his journey, encountering the threshold
guardian--something that guides and helps him with useful info/advice/items to
continue his quest. Athena is often shown as the threshold guardian. The
challenges come one after the other and get harder along the way. The big
challenge in the story is the Abyss, the challenge that brings on the
transformation. The hero becomes changed--emotionally, mentally, etc. He then
begins to realize how the transformation will change his life. Then the hero is
enlightened, and returns to the palace where he/she started with a gift or a
prize.