The huge lava pool which centered and alighted most of Hephaestus' domain was crusted over with black vulcanic glass.  Only cracks which crisscrossed the surface in all directions still gave off light.  When she called out, the lava rippled in response.  The center of the sealed pool slowly dimpled as it melted out again.  A huge, animated glob of lava raised itself up before reshaping itself and showing that Hephaestus was within, unharmed and outfitted in his finest arms.  Slowly the moltan pseudopod raised up and then settled down to deposite the fire immortal on one of the shattered precipises which punctuated his living area.  He kept himself at a good distance from Calista, knowing that fire was not her friend.<br/><br/>Lowered down onto one knee, he took a second before raising himself back up, his huge hammer held easily in his very strong grip.  He glanced over at Calista as the lava which had lifted him up let itself fall back into the central pit as it rekindled itself... burning all the black coating away and once more blazing as it reclaimed its former glory.  Seeing her, he raised his hand up to her, warning her from comming too close.  His armor was stilll smouldering hot from his time he spent under the moltan surface.<br/><br/>"Peace.  I am alright.  I was attacked, quite a formidable attack.  Beasts cast from black stone... they were many."  Lowering his hand, he bled out the heat from his armored body deep under the ground to allow her to approach him safely.  "At first, I wasnt sure where you were.  Once I knew you werent close by, I used the forge sea to defeat the horde."  He seemed a bit winded, but still mighty.  If there was one thing Hephaestus could do well, other than craft miracles, it was battle.  His domain had been shattered, but such could be fixed easily enough, especially by an immortal of craftsmanship.