i think it's sorta both? there was a physical event with a sudden gust of wind and asterion writhing around and the MC reacts thinking asterion almost had some kind of seizure. i think there's also a metaphorical (well, maybe "mythological" is the more accurate word) part too that has to do with the semi-sacred shenanigans that just happened prior: kindling the hearth, wrestling with him, his star birthmark appearing. definitely check out this thread on the birthmark if you're curious! my take is that doing all the stuff underground rekindled the ancient divinity in asterion's soul (robert talks about this if you spend enough time with him) and that's what causes the scene. probably fitting that the sensation he feels is described as "expanding outward, like a star about to burst", although i don't know what to make of the ring of fire imagery