Marvel%u2019s Loki episode 5 %u201CJourney Into Mystery%u201D left us all on a humdinger. In Loki%u2019s episode 5 it is seen that both Loki and Mobius were pruned, only for a post-credits scene to reveal that they%u2019re not really dead. Instead, they had both been sent to an unnamed world populated by various Loki variants. In the new episode we learn all about the said world, which is called %u201CThe Void.%u201D

Also read: Loki: Episode 5 trailer released, 9 more potential variants revealed

However, the ending of Loki Episode 5 leaves us with some major questions mainly, how does the void work? Where is it, exactly? Who controls it? And what exactly is Alioth? 

Alert! Spoilers ahead

What is the Void?

So if Renslayer is to be believed, she explains to Sylvie that Loki isn%u2019t dead, he%u2019s been sent to The Void, and she explains to her what exactly happens when the TVA prunes someone or something.

She says, %u201CWhen we prune a branched reality, it%u2019s impossible to destroy all its matter. So we move it to a place on the timeline where it won%u2019t continue growing. The branched timeline isn%u2019t reset, it%u2019s transferred%u2026 to a void at the end of time. Where every instance of existence collides at the same point and simply stops.%u201D

Also read: Loki: Who actually created the ‘Time Keepers’ in the MCU series?

If we believe every single thing Rensalyer has said we%u2019ve seen that%u2019s been pruned to date is sent to this void. So this Void is not only full of Loki variants but also several objects that, for one reason or another, have been pruned from the sacred timeline. 

What is Alioth?

A major question that comes to everyone%u2019s mind is, how can the TVA know they%u2019re safe when they send someone or something to The Void? Because Alioth ensures nothing ever returns. At the beginning of the episode, the Loki variants explain to our Loki that the %u201Cmonster in the sky%u201D is called Alioth, and it is a being of pure destruction. To which Loki responds, %u201CThis is the place where the TVA dumps its rubbish. Everything they prune. And Alioth, he ensures none of it ever returns.%u201D 

Also read: Loki episode 5 leaves Twitter in awe

Boastful Loki adds to what exactly Alioth is made of: %u201CIt%u2019s a living tempest that consumes matter and energy. They send entire branched realities here that are devoured in an instant.%u201D

Throughout the episode we witness, each person turning to a skeleton when it comes into contact with Alioth. But when Sylvie shows up and makes contact with the beast, she sees something, something that leads her to believe she can enchant Alioth and reveal what%u2019s on the other side. As we reach the end of the episode, the Loki variants work together to help enact Sylvie%u2019s plan, and in the process, we see that Lokis are more powerful than they believe they are. 

What%u2019s beyond the Void?

Sylvie%u2019s theory about the void is that it is hiding the end of the timeline, and there is where we%u2019ll find out who%u2019s actually running the TVA since the Time-Keepers turned out to be androids. %u201CI think the person we%u2019re after is beyond The Void at the end of time,%u201D she tells Loki when she shows up in The Void. %u201CAnd if they are, that thing is just their guard dog protecting the only way in.%u201D

Also read: Sylvie is more than just ‘Lady Loki’: Sophia Di Martino

The episode ends with a peek about how the enchantment works, and a door of sorts opens up to reveal a castle behind Alioth. There%u2019s a big light on the top of the castle that could be a satellite of sorts that links up with Alioth and/or the android Time-Keepers, but if you look closely you%u2019ll also see a ship flying away just as the door opens. Whoever controls the TVA might be making a run for it, or is this a heavily populated area full of the beings who are controlling the %u201Csacred timeline%u201D for their benefit?

You%u2019ll recall that earlier in the episode, Renslayer noted that %u201Cthe dogma states that the end of time is still being written, that the Time-Keepers are transforming it into utopia.%u201D Could whoever%u2019s behind all this be trying to create a utopia for themselves, at the expense of all the variants they%u2019ve been pruning? Can Renslayer even be trusted at this point?at%u2019s Beyond the Void?

Also read: Who is the new President Loki?

Who is controlling the TVA and what happens in episode 6?

What is the ending of Episode 5 setting up? Theories as to who exactly, is controlling the TVA. One popular theory is that the finale will introduce Kang the Conqueror, lover of Ravonna Rensalyer a character from the comics. 

Also read: Loki: Who actually created the ‘Time Keepers’ in the MCU series?

Another theory is that the person controlling the TVA is yet another Loki variant, which could set up some nice twist for the story %u2013 the only way for Loki to win is to defeat a version of himself. A lot of questions remain unanswered as we head into Loki Episode 6 %u2013 the season finale but maybe not the series finale. 

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