Critical Introduction to Guardian of Shadows: The Forbidden Love A Hero’s Journey

by Jessica Hughes

Upon starting this mythology class, I initially underestimated its potential to explore interpersonal themes, which would ultimately deepen my understanding of the distinctions found within each myth. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I could draw connections between various hero myths and my own personal experiences. This revelation allowed me to see how these timeless stories echo with some situations in my life. As I explored the complexities of these narratives, I realized that I could create my own myth inspired by my thoughts, feelings, life experiences, and beliefs. This process of myth-making has enabled me to explore my own journey through a more intimate and action-oriented lens, allowing for greater self-reflection.

The significant impact this class has had on my perspective on the great hero myths motivated me to craft an original myth based on the hero’s journey archetype. In doing so, I intend to illustrate how I can relate my real-life challenges and triumphs to the symbolic elements found in my myth. Additionally, I plan to compare my narrative to other hero’s journey myths, highlighting the universal themes that bind these stories together while emphasizing my unique personal journey. Through this exploration, I hope to gain a richer understanding of myself and the myths that shape our global narrative.

My original myth is a story based on supernatural elements. It highlights a network of outer realms, including an underworld of astral planes, that contain some of the most powerful creatures. These realms connect to the domains of the old gods and goddesses in a world where their ever-weaving presence is known among different species and bloodlines. Unlike our current reality, this world speaks of the universe in a way that unites all forms of belief into one collective idea, where the old gods still exist alongside their influence and power. This represents my overall belief in mythology, emphasizing how no one element can exist without the others. This also signifies how I feel more at home and comfortable with the darker aspects of spirituality and mythological beliefs, as opposed to the desire to walk in the light as a pure individual due to the environment I grew up in and the beliefs held by my family.  The myth revolves around a creation referred to only as Creature by name. It tells the tale of a girl created not out of love but as a means for control and power, disguised as a form of peace. The girl is unaware of anything except the destruction and chaos she is commanded to inflict by the first fallen angel, who rules over a demon realm and seeks the end of the old gods. She is an outcast, used for malicious motives and gains, and has no real concept of love or friendship, as she is merely an instrument of someone else’s design.

Eventually, she meets a prince who becomes her friend and lover. When their relationship is discovered, she is forced to kill the prince but is unable to do so, allowing him to escape. This leads to her imprisonment, but she is later offered a way to redeem herself with the help of another demon, with whom she eventually grows fond. The creature is faced with the true motives of her creator and must destroy him with the aid of her love and closest companion. Although they are unable to destroy her creator, she manages to separate him from his power source. Though the group is ultimately separated, she escapes and spends eternity searching for her love while trying to prevent her creator from continuing his plans.

The myth I created reflects the strangeness surrounding my family’s version of my conception, as well as my mother’s pregnancy and my family’s involvement with illegal activities and dangerous mob affiliations, which are represented as the underworld planes and the pool of life. The concept of the creature being used as a ploy for power refers to my childhood, how I was used as a replacement for my father’s retirement from the mob, and my initial feelings of obeying commands regardless of my own views. This is further emphasized by Creature’s feelings of loneliness and my own experience of not receiving the love and care that other children in my family enjoyed. The first fallen angel king and the idea of him destroying and killing the old gods is a way of expressing my feeling about how the more modern religion has tried to eliminate the belief in the old gods and what they represent. This also showcases my reluctance of putting faith in our now present religion. Though the prince does not represent a family member, he highlights the significance of a connection I had created and how it was forbidden for me to have such emotional ties even within my own family. There is also a reference to battles with the prince, which illustrates the training I was forced to undergo against my older brother as a child. This dynamic showcases how the prince represents the family conflict and the concept of love for someone I was forbidden to have. The demon in the myth symbolizes not only the criminal world and a connection to criminals but also the friendship that was forged through those shared circumstances. Over time, the myth demonstrates how our connection is transformed through different dangerous situations or unexpected circumstances.

The ending of the myth I created emphasizes breaking free from the bond that held me in the criminal world, allowing me to liberate myself from those constraints. The concept of eternally searching for the other half of the creature’s heart symbolizes the connection to someone who is unattainable. It is as if everything in the universe keeps us separated. This also highlights the feelings of never being able to truly find this deep connection and emotional bond on a more intimate relationship level. Showcasing my childhood and the notion I wasn’t meant for love or to be loved, and that I was just an object for criminal means.  As Carl Jung states in “The Archetype in Dream Symbolism, Man, and His Symbols,” what we properly call instincts are physiological urges perceived by the senses. However, they also manifest as fantasies and often reveal themselves only through symbolic images. My original myth is based on these instincts, reflecting the psychological urges and the series of events I experienced during the darker times of my life, along with the recurring dreams that plagued my mind, helping create the world and story in which my mythology is based.

Though there is not much comparison between David Leemings’ World of Myth and the story of Tiresias, Echo, and Narcissus, there is a passage where Narcissus speaks in anguish about the rejection of his reflection and his love. He yells out, “Woe is me for the boy I loved in vain!” and the spot echoes his words. When he says his last farewell, “Farewell!” Echo also responds in kind. This feeling of anguish can be correlated to Creature’s suffering when she is held captive by the king. She feels abandoned and betrayed by her connection with the prince, believing that he has deserted and rejected her affection, ultimately leaving her as a prisoner.  Creature’s acceptance of having to kill the prince highlights a connection to Narcissus and Echo’s farewell. Creature putting an end to her feelings and accepting the order to kill the prince is a form of telling the prince farewell. The story of Tiresias, Echo, and Narcissus vividly explores the theme of unrequited love, the deep yearning for someone or something that cannot or will not return that affection. This theme is different than the idea of loving someone who is unattainable due to the difficult circumstances they face. Creature and the prince represent the pain and longing associated with loving from a distance, highlighting the complexities of desire and the heart’s resilience. Where Tiresias, Echo, and Narcissus story show defeat in the face of unreturned feelings.

In David Leeming’s book World Myth, the story of Eros and Psyche tells how Eros (Cupid) fell in love with the mortal Psyche, who loved him in return. They met under cover of darkness each night, but one evening, encouraged by her jealous sisters, Psyche shone a lamp on the sleeping Eros. This caused him to awaken and leave, scolding her for her mistrust. The story of Eros and Psyche is easily relatable to the myth I created, which also involves Creature and the prince in a forbidden type of love. They, too, meet in secret, but their love is forced to end because of jealousy. There is also the anguish Psyche experiences as she desperately searches for her love, much like how the creature in my tale is forever searching for the other half of her heart or her love. There are many differences between the two stories. The most significant difference is that in the story of Eros and Psyche, the two lovers are eventually reunited, ending the longing and sadness that accompanied their separation. In the myth I created, Creature and the prince are left searching, highlighting the possibility that they may never reunite, as fate may never allow it, ultimately leaving Creature with a void that can never be filled.

On the other hand, Michael Bazzett’s interpretation of The Popol Vuh cannot be directly related to my creation myth through its love story aspect. However, it does connect through the supernatural elements that give the narrative an otherworldly feel. Additionally, there is a hidden truth kept from the twins in The Popol Vuh, revealed when the rat tells them, “I wasn’t put here to die, and you were not put here to farm. Yours lies elsewhere.” This revelation opens their eyes to the greater realities and the truth their grandmother had withheld from them. Similarly, in my own myth, the goddess of Darkness reveals Creature’s true purpose and lineage. This revelation transforms Creature’s perspective, marking the end of an old life and way of thinking, while embracing the new possibilities and challenges that come with newfound knowledge.

In conclusion, the process of crafting my original myth has been an invaluable journey of self-discovery, revealing the deeper connections between my personal experiences and the timeless narratives of hero myths. By engaging with these archetypes, I have been able to confront and articulate the complexities of my upbringing, notably the influence of my family’s chaotic history and the struggles I faced in seeking genuine connections. The character of Creature embodies my own battles with identity, loneliness, and the longing for freedom, mirroring the underlying tensions that have shaped my life. Ultimately, this myth not only serves as a reflection of my past but also as a beacon guiding me toward a future where I can embrace my true self, unbound by the constraints of my origins. Through this exploration, I have gained a richer understanding of both my personal narrative and the universal themes that resonate within mythology, reinforcing the idea that we are all intertwined in a larger story of resilience, transformation, and hope.

Guardian of Shadows: The Forbidden Love A Hero’s Journey

Long ago, through space and time, when the first angel plunged into the depths of the underworld realms, he proposed a ruse disguised as a form of peace to the ancient species of the land. They aimed to create a creature to protect the balance between the species. So, a creature was forged from the blood of the most divine bloodlines. Each order would willingly contribute to the pool of life with its own lifeblood to give this creation life.

The Fae creatures went first, adding one drop of blood to the water, which made the water begin to swirl. Next, the Mermaid Queen added her drop of blood, causing the pool to glow a soft blue. One by one, each bloodline contributed. The eldest crone contributed the witches’ blood, making the water shimmer as it swirled, all while maintaining its gentle blue glow. The head of the rarest and most powerful bloodline contributed the werewolf blood. This made the water move faster as it shimmered and swirled. After this, the vampires decided to use the blood from the originating family; the black, inky blood instantly turned the water red. As the red water spun, shimmered, and glowed, the strongest of the demons then added his blood. This made the water rise high. But before the others could see what was happening, the first Angel added two drops of blood, giving his creation life. Unknown to the others, the first drop was from a human, binding the loyalty of the creation to him alone. The second drop was the celestial blood that His creator had used to give the angel life. She was the Angel’s first creation, and he would become a god.

Though she was meant to be the guardian and gatekeeper, she served as the angel’s right hand in destruction, keeping all in line. She was unaware of her true intended purpose, and the first angel would never let her know. Though the creature surpassed all in power, she was bound by loyalty to the first angel himself, and whatever he commanded, she complied. Initially, she was used to crown the first angel rule over the demon realm, where the first angel became king. In time, the new king would slowly take over the remaining realms, destroying any of the old gods that opposed his rule and claiming all for himself. However, he had to wait for the girl creature was far too small and grew slowly.

As she began to grow, she was named Creature as a representation of the creation that she was. Though she was much like any human child, craving love and attention, she was denied any form of affection. And as the seasons changed and the sands of time shifted, she grew lonely within the labyrinth she called home. Her creator, the first angel, was now king, but she was still considered a monster even among the devils and beasts of the realm, for everyone feared the creature’s destructive potential and the king’s wrath. As a result, she wandered the dark labyrinth alone, wishing for nothing more than a friend.

One day, the oldest of the king’s eight sons wandered into the forbidden Labyrinth and stumbled upon his father’s feared creation. Though she didn’t appear scary, she was oddly beautiful, and the prince found himself drawn to her. The two quickly became the most unlikely friends, having to meet secretly in the dark labyrinth, for the king was very possessive of his creation, wanting Creature only for himself.  As the years continued to pass, Creature grew in strength and power, even surpassing the power of the king himself. The secret connection between her and the prince continued to blossom into something far more.

Then, one day, strangely, the king set Creature upon his eldest son, the very prince she had come to know. The king claimed it was a form of training to strengthen the future heir, so as the king commanded, the two would duel each other. Creation and his heir were soon ready for the king’s ultimate plan and used to march against anyone who opposed the king’s rule, with his sights set first on eliminating the old gods from the underworld and every realm within space and time. Through all the constant training, Creature and the prince became unstoppable, fulfilling the king’s wishes at his every command. However, one evening, the king came upon the two young lovers. Furious at their bond and his possessiveness of Creature, he demanded that she kill the prince. Creature, bound to obey the king’s commands, drew her trusted sword, and she and the prince began to battle. Despite overcoming the prince, she couldn’t bring herself to destroy the only friend and lover she had ever known. She dropped her weapon at that moment, allowing the prince to escape into the night. Enraged, the king sent out his legions and the seven remaining princes to defeat and eliminate his oldest son and heir. The king then forbade anyone to speak of his firstborn son, erasing him from history. The king, in turn, turned his wrath upon his creation, locking her in the dungeons and subjecting her to constant torture.

When all efforts to eliminate the prince failed, he summoned his creation once more, offering her a deal. She could either kill the prince who had deserted her, leaving her to rot in the dungeons and regain her place at his side, or be forever locked away in her cage. With the threads of the king’s bond tightening around her throat, she bowed in defeat, accepting the king’s proposal. The great king was not foolish regarding her betrayal and feelings for the eldest prince. So, the king had a powerful demon named Fee assigned to her as her watcher and prison guard. Regardless of being a demon, Fee was the most powerful of the demon realm and the king’s most vicious killer, and together, Fee and Creature set out to eliminate the only person who had ever cared for her.

Creature and Fee’s search for the prince caused Creature to become increasingly cruel and left her feeling even more hollow. The king demanded that they slaughter all the old gods in their search for the prince, and with each passing kill, the darkness within the king grew as the hatred within Creature deepened for the king. The relentless killing weighed heavily on her, and despite the endless slaughter, she was still no closer to finding the prince or achieving her freedom.

Over time, Fee became like a brother to the young girl, and Creature became the confidant he had never had. The demon couldn’t help it. He found himself protecting her, and in return, she defended him in the great battles they faced. He enjoyed advising her in all areas, as she was the closest thing he had to a friend. Even Fee grew weary of the constant killing, for it all seemed pointless, along with the ill-treatment inflicted upon Creature. So, together, they began to seek alternative ways to escape the king’s wrath.

One day, Creature stumbled upon a part of the realm she had never explored. The beautiful, lush groves exuded a divine beauty to which she couldn’t help but feel drawn. The pull was intoxicating, urging her closer and almost calling to her. Fee knew the dangers of the goddess grove; quickly, he ensured Creature would stay far away from the sacred land. She agreed, but Fee had fallen asleep, and despite his warnings, she ventured forth, drawn by a sound that beckoned her. She traveled far before discovering the Pool of Life deep within the beautiful woods. The spirits of the woods then took her to the water’s edge, where they revealed the destruction of all things due to the King’s rule. They showed her how the outworlds would meet their end. Not willing to allow this to happen, Creature ran toward Fee to warn him. But before she could make it out of the clearing, darkness engulfed her, and everything fell into nothingness.

When Creature awoke, the warm glow of the great goddess engulfed her skin, waking her from the fog. Fee was there, slowly awakening from the effects of the great goddess’s sleeping agent. Unsure of how they got to where they were or why they were there, Creature stumbled forward in the darkness. Then, the great goddess of darkness stood before them in a beautiful clearing, accompanied by the prince himself. Furious, Creature attempted to attack, but Darkness drew her into another vision, revealing the king’s full intentions and how he would destroy all. Creature learned of her true origins and that she was the only one powerful enough to stop him; it was her destiny, the very purpose for which she had been created. The balance of the realm must be preserved. The vision left Creature almost powerless with exhaustion.

The goddess then told Creature that with the Great Scythe of Eternity, Creature could gain her freedom. The goddess of Darkness then bestowed upon Creature the beautiful scythe forged from the blood of the elder gods. The weapon glistened in the light, reflecting the beautiful rainbow colors of the diamond blade; the large Rudy in the center of the blade hilt glowed a deep red. The design was otherworldly, beautifully crafted with gold and silver in an intricate geometric design. The goddess then smiled at Creature’s reaction to the scythe and reminded Creature of the great power she already possessed. The goddess then let them rest before sending her to confront her creator.

On the journey back, Creature and the prince repaired the bond that had once been broken. He told her of his attempts to free her, but he knew she was still wary of him and his motives. The three of them worked tirelessly to devise a plan to kill the king. Finally, they decided to use the prince as bait, but the goddess was clear: she must kill the king and the source of his power.

The king, however, had sought out the oracles and witnessed Creature and Fee’s betrayal, along with the intervention of the Goddess of Darkness. He allowed the three of them to enter but impaled his creation using his powers and captured Fee and the prince. When the great king confronted his creation, she saw the soft glow of the king’s source of power deep within his chest. Taking her hand, she plunged her fist into the king’s chest, ripping out the Jewel of Life he had stolen from his grand creator. At that moment, the prince and Fee broke free from their captors, fighting to reach Creature. Just then, the furious king summoned more power and impaled his creation with spikes that shot up from the ground.

She screamed and instinctively threw the jewel to the prince, begging him to escape. The prince hesitated, trying to fight his way to her, but she urged him to run. He had to save the balance. So, the prince and Fee ran to the Gateway, slaughtering the armies and fighting off the hounds of hell. He was unsure which world to choose when he reached the gateway to the outer realms. But more of the king’s soldiers were approaching, and they were running out of time. Suddenly, Fee illuminated the control panel, opening a random dimension. He pushed the prince and the Jewel of Life into the portal. The prince called out to him, but the demon slammed the portal closed and ran towards where Creature was. The last words the prince heard were to keep the jewel safe; they would find him.

The king was furious with his creation, and she would suffer eternally at his hands. Creature, suspended in the air by spikes, was too weak to move and was sure she would die. But in a flash, she heard the goddess’s voice and felt the weapon’s warmth in her hand. She swung the scythe, cutting through the spikes that held her, and the king recoiled in shock.

She gathered up the last of her strength and ran to fight with Fee. She barely reached the portal and the demon when the king’s newest creation came crashing in. Grabbing the demon, she turned on the panel for the portal, thrust him into the opening, and slammed her trusty weapon deep into the center of the control panel. The building began to shake, and the sword disintegrated just as the king came crashing in. The king reached for Creature, but the portal had closed, severing the king’s hand and shooting Creature and Fee into the void of space.

It is said that the king continues to search for the Stone of Life, for he cannot complete his plans without it. Although he still maintains his throne over the demon realm, he tirelessly seeks the creature he created, no longer focusing on the destruction of the old gods. As for Creature, she spends eons drifting through the different realms and planes, searching for the lost prince. She still seeks to destroy the Stone of Life before the king can destroy the universe.

Many names have known her throughout time, for she is the goddess of the Infinite Abyss. As the keeper and guardian of life, she ensures that the world and the universe flow in harmony. No longer would she be the right hand of destruction; instead, she would embody what all the elder bloodlines created her for. She would be the guardian and gatekeeper, protecting the destiny of all in the universe while forever searching for her love, the other half of her heart.

Work Cited

The World of Myth : An Anthology, edited by David Adams Leeming, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 1992. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/cwidaho/detail.action?docID=1100071

Bazzett, Michael. The Popul Vuh. Milkweed Press, USA, 2018.

Jung, Carl. “The Archetype in Dream Symbolism” In Man and His Symbols (pdf in Blackboard)

Grammarly- spelling, grammar, repeating ideas/ rambling, word choice, and word flow

Jessica Or, known affectionately as Yeska by her friends and peers, was born in the city of Puyallup, Washington. Yeska has lived most of her life in the scenic landscapes of southern Idaho, where the rolling hills and vast skies ignited her appreciation for nature. Yeska is captivated by the rich beauty that surrounds her, often finding inspiration in the intricate mysteries of the natural world and the allure of the unknown and supernatural. Her insatiable thirst for knowledge drives her to explore new ideas and experiences, continually expanding her understanding of the world. As a devoted mother to three daughters, Yeska draws motivation from their energy and curiosity. They serve as her greatest inspiration, pushing her to strive for personal growth and become the best version of herself. In their shared adventures, she seeks not only to nurture their dreams but also to cultivate her own.