Casting about wildly, Martin's breathing is heavy and labored after they crack Moiré over the head with the stick, and then he seems to freeze, shaking.

He doesn't know why he struck them. He doesn't understand. But something about the sight of blood engages an instinct imposed by the Blight, and suddenly he feels all the strength and resolve sapped from him, and his arms fall. He doesn't release the heavy branch, instead seeming to just... space out, looking off somewhere else.