The disguised participant in the crew was revealed as Jace, alive after compleation and working with Vraska. Their reunion had survived bodily transformation and isolation, but survival had not returned them to the roles they once held among the Gatewatch. Jace had also worn Ashiok's face when freeing Eriette from an Eldraine cell. After confronting Vraska, Ral escapes the vault with Kellan and Annie.
They took responsibility for Loot while also using the map inside his mind. Their tenderness and secrecy existed together. They promised protection, yet withheld their purpose from former allies and from the people whose choices had made the rescue possible.
Thunder Junction ended without containing its consequences. Kellan left with a clearer self and a damaged bond to Oko. The Fomori vault established that older powers had mapped routes across worlds, and Loot gave Jace and Vraska a way to follow those routes toward a future only they believed they understood. Kellan controls Akul to free Annie, then orders him back into the collapsing vault before flying her away.