‘Stranger Things’ Matt & Ross Duffer Dish Season 4 Finale Death & Destruction & Epic Battles Ahead

Rethinking the Kas Theory: The Puppet

So by now most of us know about the Kas theory, specifically with Eddie becoming the vampire that serves as Vecna's right hand man.

What's strange to me is Vecna is not actually fully mentioned in Dungeons & Dragons first edition (1974), other than his hand and eye. He is fully introduced in second edition (1989), with the "Vecna Lives!" module in 1990. This is strange, because as we know, the writers are usually very careful with these details and the years of which things were released. Choosing this story line - and specifically this D&D module released much later than the canonical time frame, is a very specific move. This means it was entirely intentional, and therefore a very important detail. (Did you know: Dungeon Masters used to be called referees!! The first usage of DM was in 1975! Just a cool fact i found :))

The actual lore behind Kas is lengthy and actually very interesting, but to shorten it down: Kas the vampire was the most trusted Lieutenant for Vecna. Vecna formed 'The Sword of Kas' using a fraction of Kas' consciousness, which he then used to serve the deity. The sword however was sentient, and would whisper to Kas, telling him to kill Vecna "the lich must die." Kas eventually does so, which ends up destroying them both. All that was left was Vecna's hand and eye, while Kas was flung into Ravenloft (difficult to say because a lot of sources say different locations, but that's not the point of this theory), Vecna is banished to Cavitius. Of course, Vecna eventually comes back and seeks revenge on Kas, his once loyal companion. There's a lot more to it, and if you're interested you should definitely read up on it, you can probably find the books somewhere (if not, there's a LOT of wikis).

In my understanding, Kas is actually a lot more like Eleven than Eddie. If we take into account Vecna and Kas' lore, and try to fit it in with canon Stranger Things events, it makes a lot more sense. One taught El how to take control of her powers, how to make them stronger. He helped her learn how to use them. It was mostly for his own benefit, but they were helping each other to escape. They were a sort of team. When El removes his chip, One gains his powers back. At this point, he still views El as a sidekick, his right-hand-girl. But then she betrays him with the power he taught her how to harness, just as Kas used the sword that Vecna had forged for him. She basically vaporises him and sends him through to the Upside Down. Pretty much exactly what happens to Vecna (minus losing a hand and an eye).

It's thought that One/Vecna is dead, but of course, as are the events of season 4 --and technically every other season-- he returns.

So, technically, or even more so literally, Eleven is Kas.

But I'm not one to be a bummer, and I want Eddie to come back as much as the next person; so here's my theory, i suppose.

There is a resemblance between Kas and Eddie. Long, dark hair, mostly. Along with the rest of the lore this could be an intentional link - but likely it is just coincidence. Kas of course was a vampire, and we've had a lot of circulating theories that Eddie will come back as one, especially considering he was killed by a bunch of bats. Makes sense.

My theory is that Eddie will become a vampire, but he will be nothing like Kas nor El. One/Henry/Vecna wants revenge, and to do so he needs a more worthy replacement. Eddie becoming a vampire in the Upside Down by the demo-bats means he was created by One with One's creatures and for One's evil doing.

El was merely someone he could manipulate, Eddie becomes the creature he can control. A puppet to master. This way, he can't be betrayed, because he has full power over Eddie. Instead of just teaching and empowering an ability that was already brewing, he created an entirely new being with his own power, strength, and then some. This way, One can enact his plan through Eddie. He can take so many more lives and destroy the party, especially El, so much quicker. Considering they would have to kill Eddie to rid of him. If the gates are closed again without the death of One, only having to control a single bloodthirsty, ravenous creature makes it a lot easier to sever the connection between worlds, as each victim he takes makes One stronger. He is then able to take lives by himself, and create gates once again. This time, along with Demogorgons and Demo-Dogs and Demo-Bats and whatever else he has in that grotesque pit, he has his very own gargoyle.

I'm currently working on a very big fic with this theory in mind! I will post more about it in the future.