"They are ranked by strength," Marluxia commented, reasonably. Szayel was among the lower ranks of the Arrancar, which, for Marluxia's experience with scientists, very much rang true. Whether that was their strength in their masked form, or their full released forms, Marluxia wasn't sure. He hadn't encountered the latter in person to say.

"He intended on hitting you," Marluxia added, with more than a touch of amusement, because the very idea was amusing. "I don't imagine that would have gone well for him." Even if Marluxia hadn't been prepared to ruin Szayel's day himself.