Approach to the Inmost Cave

Now the Hero has undergone Tests, and made Allies and Enemies, and is Approaching the Inmost Cave. Now is when he discovers which Allies will really go through the Ordeal with him, relaxes before the main Adventure, and reorganizes the group.
This is a place at which a lot of previous planting and foreshadowing comes into play. Someone may remember a valuable piece of information that seemed useless when they received it. Magical equipment from the Mentor may become useful. The Hero may discover that some Allies he thought promising do not have what it takes to go through the Ordeal, and maybe some less impressive members of the group have shown themselves worthy. The Hero may do reconnaissance on the Enemy, prepare weapons, and make plans. Usually he has one last relaxing, friendly moment with his Allies before they enter into battle.
Often the Shapeshifter of the story either reveals himself or reappears at this point. The Shapeshifter may be in the form of a "Temptress," making the Hero doubt his determination and mettle. Or maybe the Shapeshifter turns out to be good, and comes back to join the Hero in his final Ordeal.
Everything that happens at this stage is in preparation for the Ordeal. Everything that has happened previously has been leading up to the Ordeal. The Hero has thrown to the wind all his doubts, misgivings, and fears, and is 100% ready for what's to come, though he does not know whether he will succeed or not. The Hero has come to the conclusion that the possibility of attaining his goal and defeating the Shadow is worth the very real, very concrete risk of all that he may lose if he fails. The stakes are at their highest, and the Hero is at his most courageous.
The Hero and his Allies may encounter another, or several more, Threshold Guardians, blocking their way to the Inmost Cave, the lair of the Shadow. The Shadow's lair is sometimes considered another Special World, tucked into the first Special World like a nesting doll. This means new rules, new stakes and values, and lots of new room to mess up.
Some Heroes have prepared so thoroughly for this Approach, that they have lost any doubt they previously had. They stride boldly into the lair, challenging the Shadow as he has challenged them. Some Heroes, on the other hand, are still uncertain of their abilities, and retain fear and doubt going into the Inmost Cave, but carry on anyway, knowing that this Ordeal is more important than any apprehension they may have.
Approaching the Inmost Cave, the Hero discovers the real character hidden inside his Allies and inside himself.