Well, the wait is over. Today, on New Year's Eve, get ready to celebrate with Stranger Things' season 5 finale. Keep an eye on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT. Before watching the finale, let's look at the reasons behind why the Upside Down has red lightning.The red lightning that flashed across gloomy skies was one of the most terrifying secrets of this show. It has long left viewers guessing about the Upside Down. For years, it appeared to be an odd visual effect with no apparent purpose. The answer was finally revealed in Volume 2 of the final season.It is a force that prevents the Upside Down from collapsing. It is a delicate wormhole that connects our planet to the Abyss. However, it is held together by exotic matter, which provides the energy. The stake in the battle against Vecna would increase if it weren't for the dimension's disintegration.Keep reading to know more.Stranger Things Season 5: Stabilizes the wormholeThe season finale, vol. 2 of Stranger Things, finally explained the mystery of the red lightning in the Upside Down. The flares are caused by exotic matter that maintains the stability and functionality of the wormhole. Eleven observed that the boom that follows each flash lasts 7 seconds. This gap indicated that the flares occurred approximately 1.5 miles above the ground.As the heroes plot their next action, that particular detail is crucial. Lightning doesn't just happen. It showed that the wormhole required continuous electricity and had a rigid rhythm. The Upside Down will fall apart without these flares. The team should attack at the precise moment to bring it down.Endures prior damage View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe exotic matter in the Upside Down is far more hazardous than anyone realized. In Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 2, the heroes discovered that the soldiers were imprisoned in the weird material. The melting remained when they investigated Hawkins Lab in the dark dimension.This finding highlighted the futility of human attempts to combat it. The exotic matter showed that it is more than simply an energy source. It is a living force that adjusts to threats by absorbing the harm. Fans discover that it has already bounced back from devastation twice. This implies that explosives will not be considered appropriate for its destruction. Even after severe attacks, the exotic matter can repair, defend itself, and maintain the stability of Upside Down.Reveals Vecna's dimensional merger planStranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 ensured that the red lightning is not just a spooky matter. It gave us hints on how Vecna intended to unite the Upside Down and Hawkins into a single nightmare. The frequency of the lightning grew as the dimensions drew closer.The exotic matter is responsible for holding the wormhole in place, making the predicament an urgent one for the heroes. Before the complete merging of the worlds, they have to halt Vecna. In each flash, crossing the exotic matter is even more hazardous. Time is running out. The lightning showed it clearly. With every strike, Hawkins moved closer to becoming part of the Upside Down forever.Follow Soap Central for more updates on Stranger Things.