01_-_The_Alchemyst

Nicholas stepped forward and put a hand on Josh’s and Sophie’s
shoulders. He was no taller than they were and looked directly into their
eyes. “You must accept that you are trapped in this impossible world. If you
leave, you will bring destruction onto your family and friends, and in all
probability, you will bring about your own deaths.”
“Besides,” Scathach added bitterly, “if you’re mentioned in the Book,
then you’re supposed to be here.”
The twins looked from Scatty to Flamel. He nodded. “It’s true. The
book is full of prophecies—some of which have certainly come true, others
which may yet come to pass. But it does specifically mention ‘the two that
are one.’”
“And you believe…?” Sophie whispered.
“Yes, I believe you may be the prophecy. In fact, I am convinced of it.”
Scathach stepped forward to stand beside Flamel. “Which means that
you are suddenly much more important—not only to us, but also to Dee and
the Dark Elders.”
“Why?” Josh licked dry lips. “Why are we so important?”
The Alchemyst glanced at Scatty for support. She nodded. “Tell them.
They need to know.”
The twins looked from Scatty back to the Alchemyst. There was a sense
that what he was about to tell them was of immense importance. Sophie
slipped her hand into her brother’s, and he squeezed her fingers tightly.
“The Codex prophesies that the two that are one will come either to
save or to destroy the world.”
“What do you mean, either save or destroy?” Josh demanded. “It’s got
to be one or the other, right?”
“The word used in the Codex is similar to an ancient Babylonian
symbol that can mean either thing,” Flamel explained. “Actually, I’ve always
suspected that it means that one of you has the potential to save the world,
while the other has the power to destroy it.”