Silence filled the Wheeler basement after Levi's revelation.
Mike, Max, Lucas, and Eleven were still processing the fact that Levi could use actual magic. Dustin, of course, was still grinning like a lunatic, while Steve sat on the couch with his arms crossed, looking equal parts impressed and annoyed.
Finally, Lucas broke the silence.
"So… you've been keeping this from us the whole time?"
Levi exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. Not because I didn't trust you, but because I didn't want you guys getting caught up in something worse."
Max raised an eyebrow. "Worse? We've already fought Demogorgons, the Mind Flayer, and a secret Russian lab. What could be worse than that?"
Levi hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.
"The Mind Flayer isn't just trying to take over Hawkins—it's trying to merge the Upside Down with our world. If that happens, we all lose."
Mike frowned. "So what's your plan?"
Levi stepped forward, placing his hands on the table. "There's an old structure deep in the woods, hidden from normal people. It's not exactly part of the Upside Down, but it's connected to it. I think it might be a weak point between our world and theirs."
Dustin's eyes lit up. "Like a magic rift?"
"Something like that," Levi said. "If we can find it, I might be able to use it against the Mind Flayer."
Steve sighed. "Alright, I know I'm gonna regret asking this, but… what exactly do you mean by 'use it'?"
Levi's expression hardened. "I can seal it. If I do it right, we might be able to cut off the Mind Flayer's influence before it spreads any further."
Lucas crossed his arms. "And what happens if you don't do it right?"
Levi looked away. "Then we might make things worse."
Max let out a frustrated groan. "Of course we will. Why is it never just 'fight the monster, save the town, go home happy'?"
Mike stood up. "Alright. So when do we do this?"
Levi glanced around the room. "Tomorrow. We'll need supplies, weapons, and flashlights. And we need to be ready for a fight—because if the Mind Flayer knows what we're up to, it won't just sit back and watch."
A heavy silence fell over the group.
Then Steve clapped his hands together. "Great. Another suicide mission. Love that for us."
The Woods at Midnight
The next night, the group met just outside the forest, backpacks filled with whatever they thought they might need. Flashlights, radios, firecrackers, even a few baseball bats and slingshots.
Steve stood next to his car, hands on his hips. "Alright, last chance for anyone to back out."
No one moved.
Max smirked. "Nice try, babysitter."
Steve rolled his eyes. "Fine. But if something tries to eat us tonight, I'm blaming Levi."
Levi ignored him and focused ahead. The woods were eerily silent, no wind, no rustling leaves. Just the oppressive stillness that always seemed to signal something wrong.
As they moved deeper, Eleven suddenly stopped.
Her eyes darted around, and Levi felt it too—a presence watching them.
Mike whispered, "What is it?"
Eleven turned her head slowly. "…Something is here."
And then, from the darkness, came the sound of cracking branches.
Something was coming.
And it wasn't friendly.