Stranger Things season 5 Volume 2 ending explained: What's the team's final plan? Is Eleven going to die?

Stranger Things season 5 has unveiled the second volume, and viewers are in for a thrilling and emotional journey.

The second volume delved into the dangers that all the children faced after Vecna took them. Steve, Dustin, Nancy, and Jonathan make a shocking discovery in the Upside Down that answers several questions about Vecna's plans. Eleven learns dark secrets about Dr. Kay's work through Kali, which further raises tension.

While the entire party reunites by the end of episode 7, they need a plan that will lead to Vecna's end.

Disclaimer: The article contains spoilers for Volume 2. Reader's discretion is advised.

Steve proposes a plan to help Eleven reach Vecna when Abyss and their world are about to merge. While the team prepares for the plan, Will comes out to his friends and family, marking an emotional moment for all. Kali's big reveal about Dr. Kay's plans with Eleven hints that the two might die in the finale.

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Stranger Things season 5 Volume 2 ending explained: What's the final plan to defeat Vecna?

A still from Stranger Things season 5 Volume 2 (Image via Instagram/@strangerthingstv)

Stranger Things season 5 Volume 2 was full of high-stakes and high-risk moments as Vecna reached the final leg of his dark plans. The rest of the team finds several threatening links to Vecna's plans and returns from the Upside Down. While Max manages to exit safely, Holly's situation worsens by the end of Volume 2.

Amidst all that was found out about the chaos Vecna was causing, Dustin made a striking discovery about the Upside Down just being a bridge to the other world, Abyss, where Holly and the other kids were trapped by Vecna. The antagonist, as Dustin reveals, plans to merge the two worlds and reshape them on his own terms.

While the Abyss stands high beyond the Upside Down, the team finds it difficult to come up with a plan to save Holly and the other kids while bringing Eleven close to Vecna to kill him. After several hits and misses, Steve comes up with an idea.

He suggests that by letting Vecna merge both worlds, the team would wait till the time the radio tower breaks into the Abyss. With a short distance between the two places, they would be able to reach Abyss and rescue the children on time, while Eleven could get closer to defeating Vecna in Hawkins' Lab from the Upside Down.

Dustin also adds that, along with these steps, the team will also have to place a bomb near the exotic matter. This could ensure the destruction of the Upside Down and the Abyss.

Also read: Stranger Things 5 Volume 1 ending explained: Does Will have new powers?

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What's behind Will's big reveal in Stranger Things 5 Volume 2?

A still from Stranger Things season 5 Volume 2 (Image via Instagram/@strangerthingstv)

As the entire party unites for action in Stranger Things season 5 Volume 2, Will takes a moment to speak to Joyce about his secret. He soon gathers everyone and reveals that when Vecna took control of him as he tried to jack into his mind in episode 5, 'Shock Jock', he showed him his worst fears, pushing him to turn weak.

Vecna had shown an imaginary negative reaction of Will's family and friends as the latter revealed his gender identity. Will wanted to overcome his fear and face the situation bravely. He came out to the entire party in an emotional scene, sharing his raw feelings with all.

The party strongly supported him, with Jonathan, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Eleven, and Max rushing to hug him. This moment came after a prolonged struggle, making Will gain the strength he was looking for. With nothing to fear, he proposed to join Eleven and Kali using his powers to kill Vecna.

Also read: The Duffer brothers recommend watching these 4 key episodes before the release of Stranger Things 5

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Is Eleven's life at risk?

Official poster of Stranger Things season 5 (Image via Instagram/@strangerthingstv)

Eleven is set to get control of Vecna's mind to put an end to his wrath. Her sister Kali plans to join her for the process as they share similar powers. While the team prepared to head to the Upside Down for Steve's plan, viewers get to learn about a dangerous twist in Eleven and Kali's situation.

In Stranger Things season 5 Volume 2, Kali revealed what she saw in Dr. Kay's lab to Eleven, which left her shocked and worried. During an attempt to escape, Kali stumbled upon multiple pregnant women trapped inside the lab, with each of them being injected with her blood. She realized that Dr. Kay was trying to make more power-yielding children like her and Eleven, torturing innocent women and their unborn babies in the process. While Kali's blood did not empower these women, Eleven's blood held the potential to make things work.

This was the reason why Dr. Kay was behind her. Towards the end of Volume 2, Kali suggested that even if they defeated Vecna and Dr. Kay in this battle, the risk would remain until Eleven survives. She proposed to Eleven that after the whole plan is executed and the Upside Down is crumbling down, the two would end their lives to stop it all.

As the team heads to MAC-Z and enters the Upside Down, Volume 2 ends on a heavy note, hinting that Eleven's life might be in danger in the finale.

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Watch Stranger Things season 5 Volume 2 on Netflix.

Edited by Eeshna Dashottar