Then suddenly Raven burst into loud laughter. "Oh my god—I think I scared you all. Relax! Your bad luck ends here." She grinned wide. "I'm bored of this place and I want to meet the rest of your little team. I can get you out of here. So—what do you say?"
Dustin leaned forward, curiosity written all over his face.
"Don't tell me… the gate to the Upside Down is still open in your room ?"
Raven gave a small, almost playful smile.
"Yeah."
Steve immediately shot Dustin a warning look.
"Henderson. No."
The four huddled together, forming a tight circle as they whispered urgently among themselves.
After a moment, Steve stepped forward and spoke for the group.
"Okay. We still don't know whether you're with us or not. But we'll figure that out soon. If you can get us—and our friends—out of here safely… we'll go with you."
Raven's grin widened.
"Then let's move. Quickly, before the offer expires."
Without waiting, she turned and began walking ahead.
The group exchanged uneasy glances but followed her, keeping a cautious distance behind.
At the military base in Hawkins…
Will was on his knees, exhausted after using his newfound powers. His head was pounding. Mike and Joyce rushed to him, helping him stay upright.
Seeing Mike, Will immediately asked in worry,
"Are you okay, Mike? You didn't get hurt, right?"
Mike shook his head, breathless with excitement.
"I'm totally fine! But—how did you do that? That was insane! That was awesome!"
Will couldn't help but smile at Mike's enthusiasm.
Before they could say more, Joyce cut in urgently,
"Boys, we don't have time to chat! We need to get out of here—now."
They fled through the destroyed boundaries where demogorgons had broken in. Military men lay scattered—some injured, some lifeless. The trio pushed forward, escaping into the underground tunnels that would lead them to their rendezvous point. Their mission had failed… but somehow, Will had changed everything.
As they moved through the tunnels, Joyce asked softly,
"Will, how did you do that? Please tell me."
Mike leaned in too, eager to hear the answer.
Will hesitated, then said,
"I don't know… it just happened. But for the first time, the hive mind I've always felt—"
he paused, choosing his words,
"—it felt like I was controlling it instead of it controlling me."
Mike's eyes widened.
"Wait—then can you do more? Like Eleven?"
Will shrugged slightly.
"I can try."
He focused on a small rock inside the tunnel, straining to move it. After a few seconds of effort, nothing happened. He sighed.
Mike said thoughtfully,
"Maybe your powers only work on things connected to the hive mind. That means… you might be able to fight Vecna."
Will gave a small, hopeful smile.
"Yeah… maybe."
Joyce immediately snapped,
"Don't even think about that."
Will looked at her gently.
"Mom… let me help. For once, I can actually do something. Please trust me. I'll be safe. I have my friends with me."
Joyce felt a rush of pride, but kept her voice firm.
"Okay. You can help. But you tell me before you do anything big, and don't push yourself too hard. Understood?"
Will nodded.
Soon they reached the meeting point.
Lucas and Murray were lying on the ground, being tended to by Robin. Everyone's eyes lit up with relief when they saw each other alive.
Mike rushed to Lucas.
"What happened to you?"
Lucas winced.
"Demogorgon. But… I don't know how—it just died. Like something killed it from the inside."
Robin added,
"Same thing happened here."
Mike let out a small laugh.
"You guys won't believe this, but that was Will."
They explained everything.
Silence fell—everyone staring at Will in stunned disbelief.
But the relief didn't last.
Their expressions darkened when the truth hit them:
All the kids they tried to save…
were taken by Vecna.
Robin exhaled shakily.
"We have to get them back from the Upside Down. But first, we treat the injured. And Will—thank you. You saved our lives."
Will smiled warmly.
"No… thank you, Robin."
Robin blinked, confused but amused.
"Well… that's new."