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aloneinthehellfire · 2 years ago

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Chapter 9: Connections

Fortress Of Memories

Word Count: 5.9k

Warnings: swearing, mentions of death, mentions of possession, fire

[A/N: i took creative liberty on this creature so if you are familiar with the d'n'd version, you're gonna hate me sm]

Connections

???. Upside Down.

Hovering over your lifeless body, Vecna couldn’t help but wonder.

Wonder why you risked your life to ensure his would end. That had to be loyalty, to those caught in the storm of a changing world.

Loyalty that he wanted.

There was something else about you he found intriguing, enough to drag your body across the grass and take you with him.

Eleven may have thought she won, but he was only getting started.

It would take time and power to bring you back, your cracked bones and still heart keeping you paralysed in death. He had taken many lives, but he rarely gave it. Only when it mattered.

You were related to the boy he had dragged down before. It meant you had potential. He could sense your powerful mind, locked from the possibility of true power.

If he did this, if he brought you back, he would be sacrificing something too risky to lose.

But he couldn’t let you just fade.

His eyes rolled back into his head as his hand was placed over your head. He immediately felt the drain, the transfer. If this worked, he would have a soldier worthy enough to fight alongside him.

Once his eyes snap open, you let out a pained gasp, struggling for air. Vecna steps back.

“Y/n” He calls and you turn around, wincing at the pain it brought you.

Struggling to hold yourself up in the pool of red you led in, your eyes widened. There was fear there, but he knew your energy was too drained for you to flee.

“Don’t be afraid” Vecna says, flicking his hand and raising you from the ground, only to rest you against a pillar of vines so that you were face-to-face.

“You…” You try to speak, hoarse, no doubt from the broken neck you had a few seconds ago. “… you died.”

“It’s not that easy” Vecna states and your eyes fill with tears.

“I…”

“It wasn’t your time” He tilts his head at you, watching as the tears streamed down your face. “I brought you back”

“Why?” You sob as he gets closer, a claw gently brushing hair out of your face.

“I’ve been watching for a long time” He replies, stepping away. Vecna was still regaining lost energy from the power he had drained to bring you back. “And I want you by my side”

You are silent for a moment before you raise your head. “You should have left me dead.”

He spins back around to face you and you gulp. With a glare, he dares you to speak.

“If you think I’d join you after what you did to my friends, you are beyond psychotic.”

He simply growls, creeping closer. “It wasn’t a choice”

Is all he says before he’s suddenly barely a breath away from you, his arm raised, claws outstretched above your head. He doesn’t speak, not wanting to waste anymore time.

Staring danger in its face, something breaks inside of you.

He rips any sense of free will you had from your body, subliminally altering your memories to better suit the version he wanted you to be. A warrior.

You let out a whimpered cry, trying to fight it, and he releases you of your restraints.

“Don’t fight it” Vecna instructs. For a moment, he sees the flicker of something coursing through your veins, burning bright enough to show on the surface.

Desperately trying to move away from him, you try and fail to drag your body across the floor, clawing at the ground. You were much stronger than he thought.

“The more you resist, the worse it will become”

Finally, you scream out into the darkness, laying on your back with your eyes squeezed shut. Your eyes flicker from side to side, and he can feel the fury you inhibit.

Then, unnatural to him, he feels himself start to change, the world around forming into something he hadn’t seen before. Little dots of light, victims, souls.

The red and raw body he had endured for years from Eleven’s sentence was reformed to flesh and skin, the familiar brush of material covering his body. He was turning into something he hadn’t been since the massacre. Someone he hadn’t seen in a very long time.

And he couldn’t explain it.

It was you, he figured, watching as your breathing normalises. He knew to bring you back he would have to transfer part of him into you, but he thought nothing of how you could wield it. All of this, the fortress you had created from his own wishes… you were invaluable.

“Welcome”

Slowly sitting up, you let out a solid breath and open your eyes. When you finally see him, there’s a wave of confusion. But he can’t sense any hesitation, no fear. It had worked.

“Do you know who I am?” He questions and you slowly shake your head. He feels himself smile. “I saved you.”

He can almost see the flicker of a memory flash in your mind, but not enough to object to his story.

“Those people murdered you” He walks closer, crouching to meet your height. You were easily influenced now, a warrior for his crafting.

“I fell.” You say simply and he nods.

“I brought you back to life. My name is Henry,” He smiles and as he reaches his hand out, you take it, allowing him to lift you to your feet. “And, I was hoping, that you’d return the favour for me”

You merely nod, straightening up. The loyalty was already forming.

“Will you join me?”

You look out to the horizon, blocks of debris flying across the space. Turning back to him, you bow your head and close your eyes.

If you were searching for something to hold onto, you wouldn’t find it. He owned your soul now, commanded you as he pleased. You were going to be an ultimate weapon in his game.

Finally meeting his eyes, a single word forms on your lips.

“Yes.”

He stares back out to where you looked, the space in his mind Eleven had once managed to destroy. But this was purely a memory. For you had built him something new, something… priceless.

He had to keep your ability to himself, keep you busy until Eleven eventually came for a final round. She would try and prove herself, try to kill him.

He may be the one to kill her in the end, but you would provide as an unsuspecting weapon.

Present Day. Creel House Playground. Upside Down.

-Will, Mike, El, Dustin, Lucas, Jonathan, Robin, Steve, Argyle, Nancy, Y/n

“I don’t really remember much about it.”

You tell the group, everyone huddled together at the playground not far from the Creel House.

“He… he said he’s been watching me for a while. He wanted me to join him.” You wrap your arms around your torso, staring at the ground. “Then it’s all a blur after that. It was painful, then I just felt nothing.”

“Steve said you had broken out if it before.” Dustin speaks up and you look to where he stood, lightly frowning, “How did you do it?”

“Something I found.” You try and explain, “But- but it’s all some kind of blank slate right now. Vecna really didn’t want me remembering.”

“So where is this place?” Lucas questions and you shake your head. He looks surprised.

“What?”

“But you were there.” He says, “You told me that you saw Max and-”

“Wait.” You stop him, eyes wide. “I did?”

“Yeah.” He breathes.

“Max.” You say to yourself quietly. The red-head flashed into your mind, the look of fear. “I remember… I remember seeing her. She was… trapped.”

“Trapped how?” Nancy asks.

“He takes them.” El speaks quietly. “He takes everything they are. Their souls.”

“You mentioned Will.” Lucas remembers, looking hopeful. “When I asked you where the lair was, you had said ‘Will’. And ‘behind’.”

You frown. “Will?”

“Behind Will?” Dustin suggests and Argyle moves over to the boy and peers behind him, Will looking very confused.

“Nah, man, nothing here.” Argyle shrugs and if they didn’t know him, they’d think he was joking around.

“Behind something.” Nancy mutters while everyone racks their brains, trying to figure it all out.

For the life of you, you can’t remember a single thing. Considering how painful it was for Vecna to put you back into your trance, he had practically burned it out of you.

“Oh!” Steve snaps his fingers, an idea striking his mind. “Behind Will’s house!”

“Behind Will’s house?” Dustin raises his eyebrows. “Why would his sister, who lives in said house, say it was ‘behind Will’s house?’”

“Do you really have to second-guess everything I say?” Steve argues and Dustin folds his arms.

“When you’re a liar? Yeah.”

“Woah.” You intervene, stepping between them. “What the hell is going on here?”

“Ask Steve.” Dustin glares and Steve lets out a frustrated sigh.

“Behind something to do with Will.” Mike shakes his head, ignoring the bickering between friends. He hated that Will was being dragged into this yet again. It was one of the reasons he questioned them ever coming down here in the first place.

Will looks to him with a frown, crouching beside him.

“You okay?” He asks and Mike nods quickly.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good.” He smiles before a worried frown twists his face. “Are you?”

“I got my sister back, so…” Will sends a glance over his shoulder before turning back with a genuine smile. “Yeah. I really am.”

“Good.” Mike smirks at him and for a moment, neither of them look away.

“Okay, we’re getting nowhere with this.” Lucas sighs and the boys snap out of their trance, clearing their throats.

But Will sits beside Mike regardless and Mike couldn’t admit it, but he was grateful for the warmth it gave him somewhere in his chest.

“I would have only mentioned Will if it was something important to him.” You nod, looking at your brother while trying to remember. “Something that only he would know.”

“What about Castle Byers?” Mike raises his head.

“Why would Vecna set up shop there?” Steve questions with a frown.

“Maybe it has something to do with that connection thingy?” Robin offers, sending an apologetic look to the boy they talked about.

“I hid there.” Will shares, tightening his lips. “When I was in the Upside Down. It’s where El first found me.”

You share a look with Jonathan, knowing he felt the same guilt and regret you did. Neither of you were there when Will disappeared. You should have been. But Jonathan had worked late to raise more money. And you… you had decided that a party was more important than family. A decision that will haunt you forever.

“Is it a real castle?” Argyle questions and everyone stares at him. “No? Shame, man. Real shame.”

“I don’t know.” You sigh, rubbing your hands down your face. You hadn’t slept since… well, you didn’t remember the last time you slept. “Surely I would have just said ‘Castle Byers’, I mean, Lucas would know what that is.”

“True.” Dustin points out.

“So we’re back to square one.” Nancy announces and everyone groans. “We should be getting sleep, anyway. We’ll figure this all out-”

A loud roar echoes through the air, shaking the ground you stood on. Everyone freezes, sharing the same looks of fear on their face as their blood ran cold. Communicating with questioning looks, heat rose to their cheeks the longer they stood in their anxiety.

But you had gone deathly pale.

You had only heard its roar twice, once when Vecna first introduced the thing to you and the next was from the Party’s almost-encounter with it. But you knew what it was capable of. You knew nothing could stop it.

“It’s here.” You whisper, hands shaking.

“What-what’s here?” Jonathan asks just as Will, Lucas, Mike, and Dustin look to eachother.

“Thessalhydra.” They all gasp and Steve frowns.

“What the hell is a-”

The ground shook violently as something landed outside the Creel House, sending everyone off balance. Steve managed to grab onto Robin before she fell while everyone else stumbled, grabbing onto solid surfaces.

A flash of lightning illuminated the creature before them, three heads with razor sharp teeth baring down at you.

“Holy fuck.” Robin breathed. No one moved.

Will had grabbed onto Mike’s hand, the boy squeezing it in return.

Jonathan quickly fished something out of his back pocket and handed it to Nancy. When she looked down, she immediately accepted the weapon and rolled her shoulders, getting in position.

Steve raises his bat.

“I don’t think that’s gonna work.” Dustin whispered out. But it wasn’t an attempt at ridicule.

“I don’t think anything’s gonna work.” Steve held his breath.

The winged creature was bigger than any of them liked, its shadow covering the majority of the space they stood in.

El immediately steps forward protectively, narrowing her eyes.

The Thessalhydra was searching for something. El could see its eyes darting around. And then it settled, letting out a low and terrifying growl.

She glanced over, her breath hitching.

It wasn’t searching for something. It was searching for someone.

And it was staring directly at you.

Just as it moved towards it target, El throws her hands out, a habit she had yet to kick, and held it in place. It let out an ear-piercing screech. She felt her arms straining as it pushed against the invisible force. It was too big.

She summons as much power as she can, standing strong. But, with her immense focus, she didn’t see the obstacle sweeping her way.

The creature manages to catch her with its tail, knocking her across the playground and into the slide, head hitting the metal hard.

“EL!” Lucas yelled, rushing over to her. Will and Mike immediately joined him, trying to wake the unconscious girl.

Steve and Dustin share a scared look. Without El, they were screwed.

“How do we kill it?!” Robin shouts out, looking at you. But your eyes were wide, “Y/n??”

You simply shake your head and Nancy rushes over to Jonathan, holding out her hand. He stares at it for a moment before kicking into gear, slipping the cool hard metal into her hand, and she took her stance.

She fires the gun directly at the creature, aiming for the chest, and it roared out. But the bullets didn’t pierce its skin.

Another attack with its tail and everyone dives out of the way, Jonathan practically tackling Argyle to the ground before it could hit him.

“I can’t believe I’m asking this, but how do you beat it in your stupid game?!” Steve asks, the bat in his hand feeling useless.

“First of all, it’s not a stupid game, stop calling it that!” Dustin exasperates.

“I cut off its heads!” Lucas shouts out, eyes wide. “In our campaign, I cut of its heads!”

“How the hell are we meant to do that?!” Steve stares up at the towering creature.

“STEVE!” Dustin suddenly screams and Steve turns just in time to see the monster spread a wing and create a gust of wind strong enough to knock him off his feet.

Dustin quickly runs to him, spear at the ready to protect him if the Thessalhydra attacked. But it didn’t. It was too busy cornering its prey.

“Y/N!” Robin screamed, everyone joining in, as they saw it staring down at you with its dark eyes, moving closer and closer.

A blow of its wings knocked you down, leaving you scrambling away from its growl.

It was strange, seeing something that had three heads but only one mouth. And now, as you stare at the rows and rows of sharpened teeth, light began to build inside its throat. Faces dropped at the sight.

“Shit.” You breathe, eyes wide.

The fire became brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding. And the colour wasn’t natural either.

“NO!” Will cried out as it looked down at you, tears already streaming down.

Vecna had sent it to kill you, and he was going to win.

Will felt light-headed all of a sudden when something strange startled his veins, breath quickening.

But, before he could find out what it was, the Thessalhydra roared and spat out its fire.

You squeeze your eyes shut, screams and cries echoing around you, and curl up into a ball on the ground, waiting for the scorch to consume you.

The flames never touched you.

You could feel the heat radiate around you, but you were safe, the fire merely burning the darkened earth instead. Regardless, you stayed there, heart thumping against your chest.

Once the creature’s attack stopped, you uncurl yourself and slowly look up. There’s a silhouette in front of you, holding up a red-hot shield without so much as flinching.

When they finally turn to meet your eyes, a smile forms on their lips.

“Sorry I’m late.” Eddie grins, panting.

Present Day. Trailer park woods. Upside Down.

-Eddie

“Jesus Christ.” Eddie hissed, brushing off the dirt coating the side of his face as he walked.

Eddie wasn’t sure where he was going, vaguely remembering the mention of the Creel House, words that had left your lips whilst he was still in his murderous trance.

He remembers hurting you, however. Seeing the tears in your eyes before Wheeler eventually knocked him out. He hated that he couldn’t control that. He hated that Vecna had made him hurt you.

He takes the woods to the Creel House, shifting the shield on his back to a comfortable position. He had paid a visit to the destruction that used to be his home, wondering how long it had been since he… well, died.

To have his thoughts back was the biggest surprise. For so long he had only listened to the snarl of Vecna’s trance, obeying the monster’s every order. He wasn’t sure when you had broken free of your curse, but Eddie was grateful you had. Without you, he wouldn’t be free from mind control.

He just wanted to find you. Make sure you were safe.

Eddie hears a murmur of voices in the distance when he eventually reaches the treeline. His eyes adjust to the dark, ears somehow picking up the noise even from this distance. He hadn’t had much time to look at the, well, modifications that Vecna gave him after he breathed back to life. Some kind of demobat-hybrid he really didn’t want to think about.

He can see a group stood around the playground across the street, familiar faces. His heart tightens when he spots the girl he was searching for.

He had found you.

You were hugging your torso as you paced, uttering something and then rubbing your face. You looked scared and stressed. He didn’t want to waste any more time not being by your side.

There’s a rumble of a roar that pierces the sky, freezing his entire body. He can see that your eyes have widened, fear taking over. He didn’t want to know what it was, so he tried to step quickly.

When it comes thumping to the ground, the floor trembles beneath him. It was all too sudden, his attempt at moving derailing when his foot catches against a tree root and he tumbles to the ground.

Spitting out the clumps of twigs covering his face, he raises his head, breath hitching in his throat. The dark silhouette towering over you all in the night, a flash of red lightning showcasing its horrifying features. The creature. It was here.

And it was staring directly at you.

“No.” He whispered, scrambling for his shield in the dark.

Vines had slithered around it, pinning it to the ground. No doubt Vecna’s doing. As he grips the metal and tugs, he keeps sending glances over to the battle, noticing a small girl suddenly being knocked unconscious by the sweep of the Thessalhydra’s tail. At least, that’s what he assumed the monster was. It fit his DnD handbook.

Shots of a gun ripple through the air, but they were unsuccessful. Screams and shouts echoes out as Eddie plants his foot against a vine. He gives it one last heave and the shield breaks free into his possession.

“Y/N!”

Eddie’s head whips towards the cry, his stomach dropping.

The Thessalhydra had cornered you away from the others, making you now closer to him than the group. But, with a better view of the creature, he could see a light building inside of it, and you were led on the ground with nothing to protect yourself with.

Eddie didn’t waste another second.

He sprinted towards where you led, barely dodging the attempts of the vines around him, the three-headed beast ready to spit fire. He would never forgive himself if you died.

Just as you curled up into a protective stance, Eddie skidded into place, crouching slightly. He managed to raise his shield a moment before hot flames burst from its gaping mouth.

He felt the metal burning beneath the heat and he scrunched up his face, pushing against the force. He was lucky he had the strength.

Once the flames had died out, he takes a deep breath and looks back to where you stared wide eyed.

“Sorry I’m late.” Eddie grins, panting. Probably from the adrenaline.

“Eds?” You whispered out, and he feels his heart tug at the nickname.

Before helping you up, he threw his scorched shield to the ground and stared up at the Thessalhydra, narrowing his eyes. Part of him assumed it wouldn’t work, that he wouldn’t still have control. But he did.

The beast let out a roar before spreading its wings and pushing off from the ground, flying straight over your heads. It was gone. For now.

Eddie immediately turns around and holds out his hand.

There’s a moment of tentative hesitation before you accept it, allowing him to pull you from the ground and closer to him.

“Hi.” You breathe out and he smiles.

“Hey-”

His eyes drift to the black and blue discolouration of your neck, his own throat tightening. He had done that.

“I’m okay.” You nod, fingertips brushing against your bruises. But it doesn’t soothe him. He had sworn never to lay his hands on you.

“I’m so sorry.” He whispers and you lower your hands, emotion rushing in.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” You cry as you wrap your arms around his neck and pull him closer.

It had been so long since he held you that he blinks. His arms eventually curl around you and he buries his head into your hair, shaking.

This was all he needed.

March 1986. Skull Rock.

Everyone was discussing last night’s events, Eddie crouched to the ground while fiddling about with his hands. They had been uncontrollably shaking ever since he saw someone else die.

“Y/n?”

His head whips up just in time to see you step into the clearing, brushing leaves out of your hair.

“God, you guys did not make it easy to find you.”

Eddie immediately scrambles from the floor and runs to you, catching you in a hug.

“I came as soon as I heard.” You mumble into his shoulder.

He pulls away, smiling, but his brows are furrowed. “No, no, you’re supposed to be out of here, you’re-”

“Eddie.” You rest your forehead against his. “There wasn’t a chance in hell I’d let you go through this alone.”

“Uh…” Dustin interrupts and Eddie shoots him a look. “Yeah, yeah. We’ll leave you to it. Just gonna be… over here… bye.”

The others move away to give you both some space and you laugh.

You were pretty sure they had no idea you and Eddie were together. After all, your confessions had only become official just before you moved to California; there wasn’t much time to announce it to your friends.

You had kept in touch with him by calling almost every day. And it was never awkward. You felt just as close to him as you did now.

“So…” You say after a while, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips before smirking. “I leave you for five months and now you’re wanted for murder.”

Eddie chuckles, shaking his head and stroking your cheek. “It’s entirely your fault.”

“What?” You laugh breathy.

“Yeah, totally.” He shakes his head, dimples still denting his cheeks. “You were my only good influence, you know.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” You say while rolling your eyes and he pulls you in for another kiss, cherishing it this time.

The anxiety he had been feeling was slowly washed away by your touch, by your presence.

If you were by his side, everything felt right.

Present Day. The trailer park. Upside Down.

“Is it really him?”

Nancy, Steve, and Robin were huddled in a corner, sending glances to where you and Eddie sat.

“You think it isn’t?” Robin raises her eyebrow at the girl’s question.

They found themselves inside yet another trailer, hiding out in fear of the creature returning. Eddie may have summoned it away, but that didn’t comfort them.

“His previous employer wants us dead, so…” Steve shrugs, noticing Robin’s exasperated look. “What? I’m just saying.”

“Why would Vecna send a Thessy-thingy to kill her and then have Eddie save her right before she got barbecued?” Robin points out and Nancy sighs.

“I just… I just don’t trust it, that’s all.”

“But you trust Y/n’s back.” Robin says but Nancy tightens her lips. “You do trust it’s her, right?”

“Yeah.” She nods, frowning. “Of course I do.”

Steve lets out a low whistle. “Even I didn’t believe that one.”

“Look, in the past 24 hours I’ve been kidnapped, Y/n broke her curse, Mike got his eye scratched out, exploded some bats, got attacked by a possessed Eddie, fought an indestructible dragon, and somehow we have not died.”

The two go silent, sharing a look with eachother. When she put it like that… they couldn’t help but wonder when their life spiralled into this hell.

“Sounds like a normal Tuesday night, actually.”

They turn around to see you smiling at them, their breaths hitching.

“Y/n! Hey, we were just-” Robin starts but you tilt your head, amused.

“Talking about the possibility of Vecna still controlling us?” You suggest and Nancy winces.

“Look, I’m sorry-”

“It’s okay.” You nod, your smile faltering. You look back to where Eddie and Dustin are laughing, the younger boy’s face lit with excitement. “I keep wondering the same thing.”

“Wouldn’t you know?” Robin questions with a frown and you take a breath.

“I’ve been under his curse for so long that I have no idea what’s real anymore.” You admit, never meeting their eyes. “For all I know this is all a trick. We’ll find his lair and then I’ll wake up. And he’ll be staring down at me.”

“We’re here.” Steve says quietly, squeezing your hand and you smile.

“I guess we’ll find out the truth when we figure out where Vecna is hiding.” You shrug and Eddie’s ears perk up.

“You don’t know?” He asks and all heads turn to him. Feeling a little uncomfortable, he leans forward and fiddles with the rings on his hand, clearing his throat. “I’ve been there a couple of times.”

“You have?” You frown, shaking your head. “How? The only time I ever saw that place, he immediately found me and erased it from my brain.”

“I don’t know.” Eddie admits with half a smile. “Maybe he just figured I was less likely to spill.”

And by that, he meant less likely to break free. That his mind was weaker than yours.

“Where is it?” Lucas cuts straight to the point, not wanting to waste any more time.

“I…” Eddie starts, trailing off and the boy groans.

“Does anyone actually know where this place is?!”

“It’s okay.” El calms and Lucas sighs, placing his head in his hands.

“I was always pulled to the location, I never- I never went there willingly.” Eddie explains, “But I know what it looks like on the surface.”

“Surface?” Jonathan raises an eyebrow.

“Yeah, the whole thing is some kind of fortress underground. Like… like a gate, but- but not to Hawkins. To somewhere else completely.”

“So what was it underneath?” Dustin urges and Eddie sighs.

“Some kind of shed. I know that’s not every helpful but-”

“Oh my god.” You widen your eyes with a gasp.

“What is it?” Jonathan asks, but you’re looking at Will, a look of guilt on your face.

“What’s wrong?” Will frowns, worrying.

“I know where it is.” You say, finally tearing your eyes away to look at everyone else. “Behind. Will. Steve was right in assuming I was saying it was behind our house.”

Steve raises his eyebrows. Even he was surprised.

“A shed?” Jonathan notes, shaking his head. “We don’t have a- we got rid of that ages ago, when-”

He stops, realising. And, judging by the queasy look on Will’s face, so did he.

“Okay, I joined, like, super late into this whole thing so I’m gonna need more than a shed as context.” Robin expresses and Eddie nods while Argyle continues to stay completely zoned out of the conversation.

“Mom tore down our shed when…” You try and explain, but it feels sickening to say.

“When I disappeared.” Will finishes and Mike raises his head. “Well, when I got back, at least. It’s where… where the thing took me. I tried hiding from it in our shed, I- I remembered the old gun our dad had in there from when he used to hunt. I thought I could use it, but… I never got the chance.”

Mike’s stomach dropped. Will never told him. In fact, up until now, he had just assumed he was taken from Mirkwood, where they found his bike. Why would he keep that from him?

“Wait, so…” Nancy’s brain was working harder than it ever had, trying to connect the pieces. “Vecna’s alternate world is beneath the place Will was kidnapped?”

“It could explain the connection he has with him.” Dustin notes and you gnaw your bottom lip.

“You survived the Upside Down.” You remind, crouching in front of your brother. “And as much as I hate to say it… I never understood why. I mean, mom found you with these vines attached to your body. Everyone else that was dragged down here, they…”

Will nods along, shaking his head. “I never understood either.”

“One kept you alive.” El states, wide eyed. “He wanted you alive.”

“Wait, I thought Will was connected to the mind-fly thingy?” Robin shares.

“Mind Flayer.” Everyone corrects and she holds her hands up in surrender.

“But the Mind Flayer is being controlled by Vecna.” Dustin nods slowly. “El said that Vecna’s been behind everything from the beginning. That beginning is Will’s disappearance, right? Vecna dragged you down there for a reason, then kept you alive.”

“To open a gate, maybe.” Jonathan suggests but Nancy shakes her head.

“There was already a gate at the lab before that. It has to be for another reason.”

“Why me?” Will asks quietly. “Why did he take me? It can’t have been a random decision, right?”

“What if it was?” You speak up and he looks up at you. “What if you were genuinely in the wrong place at the wrong time, and then got pulled into this. What if Vecna never had his eyes set on someone specific, but it happened to be you? If I’ve learnt anything since being down here, it’s that he always has a plan. And you were the first piece to it.”

“I don’t remember anything from that time.” Will admits, lip wobbling at the broken memories. “All I know is that ever since I got out, I’ve been… sensing him. Like I know when he’s gonna attack. Or when something, anything, bad is going to happen.”

“Vecna wouldn’t let you know that.” Eddie joins, standing up. “Everything that monster does is kept a secret to himself. Not when he could lose everything.”

“Then, what, it’s someone else telling him?” Steve shakes his head.

“It’s got something to do with that underground fortress of his.” You decide, raising your chin. “He went through hell to keep that a secret. I saw something I wasn’t meant to. I- I talked to Max, somehow. I mean, if we’re right in assuming that he keeps souls down there… it has to be the most vulnerable point. That’s where we cut Vecna off.”

“We’re talking about his head, right?” Eddie asks, leaning in. “Like, we’re cutting his head off.”

“I mean, any body part will do, right?” Steve’s eyebrows raise.

“Yeah, yeah. Head, leg, hand, whatever.” Eddie lists and Nancy clears her throat.

“How do we get in?” She steers them all back on course and Eddie shakes his head.

“Like I said, I was just transported there whenever he needed me. But I never really saw inside. I wasn’t that aware of my surroundings.”

“Probably for that secret-keeping purpose Y/n talked about.” Dustin sighs. He looks at you with an unreadable expression. “How did you get in?”

“I told you, I don’t remember.” You slump your shoulders. “I wish there was a way to find out, but Vecna went through a lot of trouble just to take that memory out of me.”

“I can do it.” El suddenly announces, standing with a nod. “I can find the memory. One can’t take it away. He can only lock it. Somewhere deep. He did it to me. I found my memory. I can find yours.”

There’s an exchange of looks, Jonathan twists his face.

“Is it dangerous?” He asks the girl and she lowers her gaze.

“It depends.”

A moment of silence goes by before you clear your throat.

“Well, that’s good enough for me.” You nod briefly, walking over to her. “Let’s do this.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Eddie’s hand finds your arms and he gestures for you to turn around to face him. “Just like that? What kind of dangerous?”

“I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?” You try and diffuse the situation before Argyle makes a noise, raising his hand.

“You could have your brain, like, turn to goo or something, dudette.” Argyle smiles proudly at his suggestion. “Or, our little superpowered friend could accidentally wipe all of your memories and you won’t even remember who you are.”

Everyone stares at him in horror.

“Or-”

“Okay that’s enough.” Jonathan slams his hand over Argyle’s mouth, a muffled sound of protest before Argyle sighs, shrugging.

“Uh…” Robin looks back at El with a worried look. “That’s not actually a possibility, right? Like, Y/n isn’t going to be permanently scarred for the rest of her life?”

El simply blinks at her and Lucas steps towards her.

“Look, I really wanna find this place. Especially if we can get Max back. But… if there’s a chance it would risk Y/n’s life, or risk yours, then I- I don’t want that.” Lucas pleads and El finds your eyes.

You give her a small nod and she smiles slightly.

“We’re doing it.” You declare and Eddie closes his eyes, taking a breath. “Look, if we seem like something’s really wrong, or anything like that, then pull us out if it. But this is the only shot we have at destroying Vecna and getting Max back.”

So then it was decided, for you and El to dive into your memories, to find a way to Vecna’s fortress.

As you both sat together in the corner, the room deadly silent, everyone eagerly waited for results. But, as El grabbed onto your hand and closed her eyes, Will felt the trail of goosebumps creep along the back of his neck.

Something was going to go very wrong.

[i'm trying to fix the taglist so if it isn't working then i apologise so much, idk what's happening but it won't let me tag certain people - i'll highlight in red the ones that don't tag]

taglist: @h-ness1944 . @ali-in-w0nderland . @dylanmunson . @silky-luxe . @mothmanatemycat . @sattlersquarry . @sadbitchfangirl . @fangirling-4-ever . @averagestudent03 . @gnnnne . @munsonology . @vintagehellfire . @bokuto-kinnie . @crissicat13 . @katie-tibo . @harrys-tittie . @the-world-is-a-mess-and-so-am-i . @lxvesickreality . @fracturedarkness . @frogers . @we-out-here-simping . @h0peless-r0m4ntic888 . @astrolockley

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