He's alive. Thank the virtues, he's alive. Devero's rising tide of fear that his tether had malfunctioned only now ebbs again, and he's able to settle down beside the priest.

He spends a few moments just petting Koumyou, running his fingers over his cheek and brow, smoothing his hair, feeling the neat, restrained edges of the sutra and the weave of the fabric of his robe. Soon enough Devero's movements slow as fatigue sinks its claws into him as well. He drapes his arm over Koumyou, tucking the priest under/against his broad chest, and sinks into a sleep just as deep.