> Plenty of heroquests involve fleeing enemies, but I can't
> recollect any myth where the hero has trouble crossing back
> to the normal world after a success.
As the Sybil warns Aeneas before their descent into the underworld:
... facilis descensus Averno
noctes atque dies patet atri ianua Ditis;
sed revocare gradum superasque evadere ad auras,
hoc opus, hic labor est.
(Virgil, Aeneid VI, 126-9).
"Easy is the descent to Avernus, for the door to the underworld lies open both day and night. But to retrace your steps and return to the breezes above -- that's the task, that's the toil."
Admittedly, Aeneas seems to get back straightforwardly enough (but does through through the Ivory Gate of *False* Dreams, which may represent a last-minute cock-up on his otherwise largely successful heroquest).
Cheers, Nick
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