Warning: This article contains spoilers for Stranger Things season 4, volume 2.

A lingering question about Vecna's true identity was revealed in Stranger Things season 4, volume 1 to be Henry Creel or One, a powerful psychic with a number of terrifying abilities. Still, before Stranger Things season 4, it didn't appear that Vecna was able to open portals to the Upside Down.

Stranger Things season 4 revealed Vecna's plan to force the Upside Down into Hawkins in a big way by using the psychic link created by murdering disturbed teenagers to open enough small portals to cause a sort of tear between the two dimensions. The apparent number needed to make his plans happen is four murders and four portals. By the end of Stranger Things season 4, he's done exactly this and the season ends with the Upside Down bleeding into Hawkins and the Hawkins crew looking on in horror and terror.

Related: Why Will Is Connected To Vecna (It Could Be Key To Season 5)

In earlier seasons, Vecna relied completely upon existing portals to act in Hawkins. created with the Mind Flayer's powers latches onto Eleven's leg and leaves a piece of itself inside of her. After treating the wound, Eleven's cast-off blood was shown to react to Flayed Billy's presence, suggesting the sought-after connection has been established, meaning Vecna can open his own portals.

What Vecna's Portals Change Means For Stranger Things Season 5

Stranger Things Steve Underwater Upside Down Gate

Vecna revealed to Eleven in Stranger Things season 4's finale that he sought her powers so he could carry out his plans unhindered. Now that he was no longer stuck in the Upside Down, there's no telling exactly what Stranger Things season 5 will entail. There's now a big active portal currently spilling the Upside Down out into the real world all over Hawkins. Even so, Vecna's ability to open new portals might mean access to new and scarier monsters that haven't yet been introduced.

Stranger Things season 4 ended with the biggest gateway yet seen covering all of Hawkins with the Upside Down. Even if the Hawkins crew closes all the currently known gates to the Upside Down, it won't be enough to stop Vecna's plans now that he can open more portals as he sees fit: he'll have to be dealt with in a more permanent manner. If the Hawkins crew wants to survive the next season of Stranger Things, it's likely Vecna will have to be killed.

More: We Already Know What Stranger Things 5's Monster Looks Like

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