Thank you a million times to everyone who supported this to the end! It's been a fun project and it feels good to finish it up finally!
Epilogue
"I am ready." Brynjolf nodded as he spoke, his eyes fluttering closed momentarily. "Take me."
If he didn't know better, he could have sworn he felt a knowing sort of satisfaction radiating from Nocturnal's spirit. But it was good, it felt right and he knew there wouldn't be a better time than this. He'd tied up all his ends, left Karliah in control, and in truth, she was far better at it than he'd been as guildmaster. And there wasn't really anything tying him back any more, either. He'd brought all his loose ends together.
Brynjolf felt the cool tendrils of shadows waft around his legs, curling up and around him as they took hold of his physical form. The surroundings were changing, he could see figures and he felt cold, but it wasn't unpleasant. He glanced to his side. An ethereal person was standing there, he looked familiar with the same kind of twinkle in his eyes and grin Brynjolf had displayed so many times before himself. His father.
On his other side, he realised, was his mother. She was more beautiful than he could have imagined, with long flowing red hair. As she raised a hand and touched his shoulder, he realised he was smiling but then she gestured ahead of her. He followed her gaze and saw Gallus and Frederick. Gallus gave him a grin and patted him on the shoulder, Frederick pulled him into an friendly embrace.
When they separated, Brynjolf saw one more person in front of him and felt the prick of tears at his eyes. Phaeril gave him the faintest of smiles and he stepped towards her. She leant up, cupping his face in her hands and kissed him as the last of his physical body disappeared and he joined Nocturnal's sentinels finally.