If any main character dies in Stranger things season 5 I think it might be Mike. Eleven is like the MAIN main character, and Will as well as being a regular main character, is kind of like the pivotal character, because the story started with him going missing. The two people who care most about Mike (other then his mom and Nancy, but they’re not main characters, it could be argued that Nancy is a main, but I would argue only the younger kids are) anyway other then his family, Will and Eleven love Mike the most, and Mike dying would be an emotional story arc for both of them, and it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s something the writers would want for the last season, also lbr they have been hinting both Mileven and Byler endgame this point, a way out of actually committing to one would to be straight up killing Mike, I don’t like it but I think it might happen.
A hint that Mike might die is Will’s painting, Will said he was the Hero of the group and is painted at the front fighting the Dragon, the hero often dies tragically and Mike may die fighting a monster and sacrificing himself to save his friends.
Also I have a theory that due to his prolonged exposure in the upside down, Will has developed some sort of powers, I also think that Mike’s death will send either: Eleven or Will on a dark path (I haven’t decided which yet) and the other will have to stop them and remind them that this isn’t what Mike would want.
