Chapter 1: Dawn Of Deus
I opened my eyes to the dawn of a new day. My ocean blue eyes adapting to the soft light of a new morning. I got up out of my bed and looked around my small bedroom within my apartment. Stretching my arms I then looked out the window at the deep purple sky, the fading stars twinkling in the distance. As I flicked the light switch the light cast a semi-visible reflection of my face across the clear glass. I believe myself handsome like all young men did. Short straight black hair, a clear clean-shaven face and exotic eyes.
If my parents left me with one thing it was great genetics.
I walked off to the bathroom to take a shower and start my morning. I showered, got out, changed into my work clothes, and grabbed a bite before brushing my teeth.
I then put on my coat and shoes and headed off into the cool autumn morning to go see the pride of my life.
I was never rich nor was I poor but I had worked hard and saved tons to get this ride.
My motorcycle.
She is sleek and positively shining. A Kawasaki z650, black and purple custom paint job, one of a kind piece of art.
It cost me a pretty penny but it was damn well worth it.
I went over to one of the locker boxes in the underground parking and grabbed my helmet before preparing to set off to work.
…
I rode through the brightening streets, the hum of the engine keeping me company as I headed off through the suburbs.
The lavender sky was now dyed orange as well as the vestiges of the once fallen evening sun now gathered to greet a new dawn.
The street lights turned off as I finally reached my destination. It was no lie or deception to call it a hole in the wall. It wasn't particularly hard to see that this place had seen quite a few years pass.
From the crumbling brick to the barely lit neon sign. This place seemed barely alive. A husk of its former self.
And yet this could not be farther from the truth of Byron's Burgers.
I opened the door to the joint and entered into a dim interior, yellow pot lights shining down onto isolated tables while hanging light bulbs lit up the booths. The only truly well lit area was the counter and by extension, the kitchen behind it. Unlit grills and fryers all sat there, waiting for my godly culinary presence to arrive and grant them solace from their greasy nature.
Wait.
I walked behind the counter before taking off my jacket and wiping the surface of one of the grills with two of my fingers.
Those JACKASSES!!
The Wednesday crew forgot to clean the grill.
"Hey Johnny? Maria? you here yet?" I yelled out into the back room.
"Yeah! Did you see the mess the Wednesday crew left?! I'm gonna complain to the manager about that one you hear!"
I smiled hearing his anger echo throughout the empty restaurant.
"Aight! I'll go clean things up!"
After finishing my screaming match with Johnny I turned away and started slipping on my chef's attire.
"Wait where's Maria?!" I shouted as I grabbed some of the oil dispersant and a rag.
As I turned to wipe down the main grill a voice came and whispered lightly in my ear.
"Would you like to know? *fuuuhh*"
A warm breath swirled in my ear as I jumped back and slammed my hip into the corner.
"WHAT THE RGGHHMM!!"
I clutched my side as I knelt down, soft laughter coming from behind me.
It was Maria.
"Thanks for that Maria, my hip and lifespan has been decimated."
She giggled as I stood up and held my side, grabbing the spray bottle and rag before apologising.
"I'm sorry, here, I'll clean up for you since you're so gravely injured."
I huffed and got up to go and went to do morning inventory.
However as soon as I got out of sight I brought my hand up to my ear and my face reddened slightly.
Maria was quite the beauty and was known as the 3rd great wonder of Byron thursday. Her pale skin and near white blonde hair plus her slim yet curvaceous frame made her the reason why we have certain repeat customers. Yet her greatest feature in my opinion were her eyes whose irises were a pale pinkish colour.
No matter what expression she may make her eyes never changed and always offered quiet calm.
I finished taking inventory and finally returned to the main kitchen to replace the oil when Maria passed behind me to put away the cleaning supplies.
"I can't believe they made so much mess in there. It's like they are trying to give us more work an-"
"They are."
I cut her off before standing up from looking at the bottom shelf of fries before turning to leave.
"Not that it matters to me. No matter how jealous those idiots get we will always be better."
"Yeah"
I then left the storage room.
Only to see Johnny standing against the wall, one foot up as he gave me a sly smile.
"Real smooth hotshot, real damn smooth."
"Shut up" I grumbled as I went to go test the burners.
He then ruffled his brown hair as he set the register for a new day.
…
"ONE DEUS BURGER, BURGER BOY!" Johnny shouted back to me as I worked the grill.
You heard that right. It's a burger named after yours truly, the one and onl-
"AR YA DONE YET DEUS OR AR YE STARING AT THE ASS OF MARIA!?!?" Shouted Johnny as he yelled back to the kitchen in a surprisingly well done pirate voice.
I heated up a little but kept doing my job as the entire restaurant erupted in laughter.
Such was the nature of the second wonder of Thursday, Johnny the parrot.
Copier of voices and humbler of men.
However there was one more wonder. The first Byrons Burgers, and that was me.
The master chef Deus.
Lord of the grill and the fryer.
The sizzle of grilling beef filled the air as I slapped down the first two patties, forming them with my spatula before turning to cut the onions.
My hands were a flurry as I worked the kitchen, flipping, slicing and dicing, and organising as I went.
In moments however, I was done. A brioche bun with a juicy ground beef hamburger. Onions, cheese, dijon mustard, ketchup and a sunny side up egg. Below the patty however was the real kicker.
Montreal smoked beef, seasoned to perfection and torn for ease of consumption.
This was the reason I was the first to be granted the title, "Wonder of Thursday" and not Maria.
I was the only one who could make it well, making it a Thursday exclusive.
And so it was.
Us three were the main draw of the Thursday crowd.
It was nice, this little bit of joy of mine.
…
The final customer finished cleaning his plate as Maria picked it up and brought it to the sink as I finished cleaning up the knives and Johnny closed up shop.
"So Deus, you doin the usual this evening?" {Johnny]
I nodded as I popped out of the back storage room, fully changed back into my casual clothes.
"See you around then." {Johnny}
I smiled as I grabbed my helmet from the cubby under the front desk and set out, waving to Johnny as I made for the door.
However, I was a little slow.
"And where are you going so fast?"
I stopped as the accusatory voice caught me in my escape.
I turned around to face the music as an unamused Maria stood in a wide stance, her motorcycle helmet already on.
"Nowhere…"
She smiled and flashed me a grin as she happily skipped past me.
"Good! Then let's head to see the kids." {Maria}
I raised an eyebrow as I took out my key and walked out to the bike, leaving Johnny to clean up.
"You mean Eliza, the orphanage caretaker and the kids?"
She froze upon hearing the name of Eliza before simply continuing as if she didn't hear anything.
"Yep both Eliza and the kids! Now come on you slowpoke!"
I then passed her and straddled my bike as she hugged me from behind, placing on the spare helmet she brought as we drove off into the night.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Blue_Robin
Blue_Robin This is my second rodeo now.
TESR will be on hold till it gets some people asking for it back.
Hope you guys enjoy!
And until next time my friends.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone