Separate

It was as piercing as it was painful.

As Atticus felt the massive, piercing pain hit his head, he abruptly lost control of his whole body.

The red shroud covering his face followed suit the next instant, its form fading into the air, enabling Atticus's exposed face to feel the intense and staggering amount of heat radiating out of robot Jared's blazing hammer, inches away from hitting his face.

Atticus didn't get the chance to assess his situation and find out what was going on; he didn't even get the chance to think.

His body was out of his control, and a massive, scorching hammer was about to hit his face.

It went without saying that he was screwed.

But the only thing that was still in Atticus's control was his eyes, which never once wavered.

Atticus wasn't sure what exactly was going on; he had a few assumptions but didn't have any time to ponder about it.