The Kingdom of Doors (DOORS AU)

Chapter 1: The Village

Just another day in the village. The men working, the women taking care of the house and kids like the olden days, and the kids attending school and playing with their friends. Except for Screech. Screech is an exception. He always would sit by himself and just... not contribute. He felt like he didn't belong here. He felt like he was trapped in this rural village. He wanted to go to the town, and maybe even in the palace itself.

But his parents always kept pushing the fact that his place was here in this village and that this village was the only safe place in the world. Screech didn't believe a single word of it. Some of the other villagers agreed with his parents, telling him that they are right. Screech was sick of it. He always read the tale of the royal "family" and how they got together.

The queen is the queen.
The king begged for his title.
The prince is adopted.
The royal is adopted.

Screech always wondered if there was a place for him in the palace, where he could meet the royals in person. But that little fantasy could never happen to him, right? Screech looked out of the window, looking at everyone doing their jobs. He sighed, knowing that he's stuck here in a place where he feels that he doesn't belong in.

Soon, his parents entered the house, seeing that he was in his room, looking out of the window.

"You're thinking about that again?" His mother asked.

"...maybe." Screech quietly replied.

"You can't just sit here and fantasize about going into a world full of stuck up rich people." His father spoke. "It's safe here in the village. And the outside world will tear you apart, break you down, and damage you. You're fragile, Screech. The outside world will taint your mind with these... lies and turn you against the village!"

"I don't believe a word you're saying." Screech told him. "You don't want me to explore the world. You just want to confine me and bind me to this village."

"Go outside. Now." His father demanded.

"We need to show you why it's best to stay in the village." His mother stated.

Screech groaned and got up, going outside, his parents soon following. They soon got to their family farm.

"This is our farm." His father stated. "This is where you belong. This is where you'll work for the rest of your life."

"You see, it's rather calming being on the farm, according to your father." His mother stated.

"I don't want to work here." Screech stated. "I don't belong here."

"If you say that one more time I'm gonna slap you." His father told him. "I don't want to hear another word of that garbage, understood?"

Screech simply nodded.

"Good. Now I will teach you how to be a farmer." His father stated.

Screech didn't look too happy about this. In fact, he looked sad. Very sad. His parents didn't care, though. He felt sick to his stomach just thinking about it. He wanted to be outside of the village.

———

When Screech woke up the next morning, he had to bathe and get ready to go work on the farm with his father. Once he did that, the two of them were on the farm, working. Well, more like his dad was teaching him how to be a farmer. His mother decided to go to the small market in the village to go pick up some things.

—with Screech's mother:—

As she was at the market, she noticed an unfamiliar person. They wore a black hooded cloak and they had black gloves, their eye color was very dark, had only one eye, and they looked like they had no mouth. She listened in on the conversation that was going on.

"If you're looking to live here, please have a seat over there so we can cleanse your mind of anything that came from the outside world."

"I just need some food for the royal banquet happening in two days. Don't gaslight me."

"Of course you have to be stubborn. I know you want to live here."

"Are you deaf? Did you not hear a SINGLE WORD that I just said?! I possess powers of the Dark Arts! I will hurt you."

Someone else then spoke up.

"If you're looking for food, then the Olsen Family Farm has what you need!"

"Thank you."

And with that, they left the market. Screech's mother then realized that the person pointed them in the direction of her family farm. (Yes I gave Screech a last name here cry about it.)

—Back at the farm:—

"And that concludes training. Now get to work on your own." His father ordered before hearing a knock at the door. "I'll be right back, son."

Screech dropped his work to go observe. He's never seen this person before. He now had so many questions to ask about the outside world.

"Hello there! May I ask who you are and why you're here?" His father asked.

"Greetings. My name is Seek, Dark Arts Master of the palace. I need some fresh crops for the royal banquet happening in two days. If you could be so kind and provide me with the crops on this list and pass around these invitations, I'll be out of your hair." Replied the one and only Seek.

"Alright. I can do that." Screech's father spoke, going to turn around to go to the farm. "Screech. Get back to the farm. NOW!"

"But-." Screech started to say.

"NOW!" His father ordered.

"Why are you gaslighting?" Seek asked. "The way you're treating your child is just... not the best. I don't understand what's up with your village and gaslighting people."

He just rolled his eyes and escorted Screech back to the farm before gathering what he needed to gather and giving it to Seek, who nodded and then left.

———

Two days have passed and it was time to head to the palace. Screech's parents told him to stay at the village, but he went without them knowing about it and without them giving him permission to.