Nexus. A city of towering steel and shimmering lights, where power isn't just an abstract concept—it's the very lifeblood of society. Those who wield it thrive. Those who don't? They wither in the shadows.
In this world, every individual is born with the ability to manipulate some form of energy. It might be raw power coursing through the air, elemental forces that bend to their will, or the delicate manipulation of biological systems. These abilities, once nothing more than tools for survival or personal gain, have become the foundation of a new world economy—a system built on energy itself.
This is the story of how Nexus's economy came to revolve around energy and how it shaped the lives of those who live within it.
The Birth of Power-Based Economy
The origins of the power economy can be traced back to the early days of human experimentation. What began as a series of scientific pursuits to unlock the mysteries of the human mind and body, quickly expanded into experiments that manipulated the very fabric of energy. People discovered that their abilities could not only change their environment but could generate energy in a usable form.
The government, ever eager to control and standardize any powerful resource, seized the opportunity. They developed a system to capture and store this energy and create a standardized currency backed by the most powerful force in existence—raw power.
Energy Generation and Storage
The foundation of this economy is simple: energy generation. Every individual in Nexus has the ability to produce energy—whether through elemental manipulation, quantum fields, or biological alterations. Each user has a unique form of energy they can manipulate, but it all boils down to one core concept: energy is produced when these powers are activated.
To manage this energy, the government created the Energy Storage Units (ESUs). These devices, installed in every home, workplace, and on the bodies of every registered user, capture the energy produced by an individual's abilities and store it in highly secure facilities. The energy doesn't just disappear—it gets funneled into government-controlled Energy Banks, where it is measured, evaluated, and turned into something far more valuable: currency.
This stored energy is then transformed into ERG credits—the official currency of Nexus. For every unit of energy produced by a person, an equivalent value in ERGs is issued by the state.
The ERG Currency System
The ERG system is the backbone of the entire economy. Every transaction in Nexus, from buying food to funding large-scale infrastructure projects, is conducted with ERGs. But ERGs aren't like the traditional currencies of the past. They are directly tied to the amount of energy a person can produce.
The wealthier you are in Nexus, the more energy you can generate. Those who control vast amounts of energy can trade it, store it, or sell it for ERGs. The amount of ERGs you possess dictates your status and influence. But just as important as how much energy you can generate is how efficiently you can harness it. Some powers are more stable, others volatile. This imbalance in the efficiency of power generation creates a divided social structure, where the elite control the most valuable sources of energy.
Dregs: The Forgotten Class
However, not everyone is born with the ability to produce energy. These individuals are known as Dregs—a term used to describe those who are powerless. In a city where power is the key to survival, Dregs are left to scramble for whatever scraps remain. They can't generate energy, so they rely on manual labor—work that is undervalued and poorly compensated. Their existence is relegated to the slums, where life is harsh, and opportunities are few.
In Nexus, being a Dreg means living without access to the very thing that drives society forward. Without energy, they cannot participate in the power-based economy. They cannot exchange their labor for ERGs and are forced to depend on government assistance or charitable organizations. For them, survival is a daily battle, one where the only currency is time—time spent working, waiting, and hoping for a better life that is increasingly out of reach.
The Role of Government: Controlling Power
The government controls the flow of energy in Nexus, overseeing every transaction, every exchange. Their monopoly over energy storage ensures that no one can hoard excessive amounts or exploit the power of the populace. It is the state that regulates who can store and use energy, and they issue penalties for those who attempt to manipulate the system for personal gain.
In return, the government provides Energy Providers, elite individuals who have the capacity to generate enormous amounts of energy. These users work directly for the state in various sectors—providing power for public infrastructure, military use, and special government projects. It's through these high-output users that the government maintains its stranglehold over Nexus's energy supply.
The Economy in Practice
In practice, ERGs dominate every aspect of life in Nexus. Energy traders, who buy and sell ERGs on the open market, are among the wealthiest individuals, making a fortune off the fluctuations in energy production. The more energy a person can store or trade, the greater their influence. Power isn't just physical—it's economic, and the wealthiest individuals are often those with the most efficient energy manipulation abilities.
Industries built on energy manipulation—such as biotech firms, energy tech corporations, and security forces—are at the heart of Nexus's economy. Entire sectors are dedicated to finding ways to enhance power abilities, create more efficient energy storage solutions, and develop new ways to harness and manipulate the limitless force of energy.
A Society Divided by Power
In Nexus, there are two types of people: those who generate power, and those who live at the mercy of it. Energy users, those with the ability to produce and store energy, hold the keys to a thriving life—luxury, opportunity, and the potential for greatness. Meanwhile, Dregs—those who have no power—are condemned to a life of struggle and survival, always fighting against the invisible wall that separates them from the rest of society.
The government may maintain order, but it's clear: the true power in Nexus isn't in the hands of politicians or corporations—it lies in the hands of those who can generate energy.
And so, the cycle continues: power is everything in Nexus. Those who have it live in comfort, while those who don't are left in the dark.
In this world, the currency of power reigns supreme.