Whether it was the escaping beasts, Dave who was stumbling in the distance, Nero's three defenders, the Primal Exarch far off, or any of the creatures in Nero's vicinity, they all turned to look when the pillar of white light erupted from Nero's body.
Normally, when a Neophyte goes from one level to another, there is no visible phenomenon. All the changes are internal, so besides the occasional deepening of hair and eye colour, there are no external signs of a transition between levels.
Since Nero had his body aflame when he started his own ascension, the equilibrium of aether entering and being absorbed into his body adjusted for his own aether use, thereby continuing to keep the flames roaring.
