With his left arm raised, Ayl sprang forth from the shadow in front of Hatsu, taking the hit that had been meant for the boy. The fire engulfed his arm in its entirety, raging with an intensity never reached by earthly flames as it began to steadily chew through his clothing and skin. He watched the fire slowly spread with great interest, turning and lifting his arm to look at it from different angles.<br/>"So this is what the infamous Hellfire feels like," he mused, seemingly unaffected by its burning grip. Stranger still, the air around him was completely devoid of the smell of burning flesh.<br/><br/>"Sorry I'm late, guys," he started, smiling awkwardly as he looked toward the panicked Hunters. "Got a little sidetracked trying to find more of those communicators.. Can't apologize enough for not getting here sooner," he added, noticing the piles of ash scattered around. His head turned back to their assailant before he continued speaking, his expression shifting to a serious one. "If what I remember is accurate, though, it looks like I don't have much time left, isn't that right?" he began, his eyes locked on the man standing a few feet in front of him. "Hellfire spreads uncontrollably, without the need for sustaining elements like oxygen. Not even<span style="font-style: italic">you</span>can stop it once it begins, if I'm not mistaken. It only stops burning when there's nothing left to raze," he stated, knowing his words were true. He had plenty of experience with flames such as these.<br/><br/>"Oh, but where are my manners?" he said, grinning as he brought his unburnt palm to his forehead. A moment later, he bowed. "My name is Ayl Taveirn. Pleasure to meet you."<br/><br/>-----------------------------------------<br/><br/>Merle stayed in step behind Vaan until they came out into the opening, at which point she pulled her hands together behind her back and stopped a few feet behind him, smiling at the gathered individuals. She giggled as he made his introduction, but otherwise stayed silent, choosing to let him keep the spotlight for now. She mostly just wanted to watch him work, and she was far from disappointed as he instantaneously killed a few Hunters with a single movement, gleefully clapping her hands in praise. "Very nicely done!" she shouted, just loud enough for her voice to be audible above the screams.<br/><br/>She frowned for a moment when one of the Hunters decided to fight back, but knew that the pitiful blow he struck would do next to nothing against Vaan. She eagerly anticipated his retaliation, and watched excitedly as the two did battle. "I can't wait until you get serious.." she whispered to herself, smiling as he toyed with the boy.<br/><br/>Just as Vaan was about to land the killing blow, the fire was intercepted by a man appearing out of the shadows; the same man with the purple hair who she had seen yesterday. A wicked grin crossed her face, and she stepped further back silently to give the two space. This was one battle she did not want to be caught in the middle of.