My, we seem to have quite a number of new faces around. This must all be a lot to swallow, but perhaps you might have room for one more little mystery?

[Jade sounds cheerful, and utterly unconcerned by the noise in the background. It sounds like thuds, clicking of insects and... are those screams?]

We found a library on the island called Manila. Sadly the, ah, owners are a touch reluctant to part with their books, but thanks to my dear crew-mates' negotiation skills, I did manage to get my hands on one copy.

[The shouts in the background grow more distinctive ("GET THEM OFF GET THEM OFF GET THEM OFF" "How are they getting bigger?!" "JADE, GET BACK HERE")]

This appears to be a genealogy of an old kingdom -- and judging by the volume of the book, it was a long-lived one at that. Most of the contents won't help us much without anything to cross-reference with, unfortunately, but there is one interesting bit at the very end.

[Jade clears his throat ("Get down!" "Yeeeooouch, c-cold!" "I'm sorry, I had to-- ACK!" "It's on my face") and reads out loud:]

"Ludovicus Marchineus Lockpost IV- Founder of the Tenstair Excavation Company, discovered the Heart of the Sea."

Now, this could mean anything at this point, but it does make you wonder, doesn't it? Why does the record end with this particular entry, and what is "the Heart of the Sea"...? Perhaps you are even thinking of the same thing I am.

[("Colbat, use Confuse Ray!" "Get your ugly bat away from me!" "Stop complaining and run!" "Sheba, now!") There is a sound of paper rustling in the wind, then running footsteps and shrieks coming closer.]

Ah, looks like my crew is ready to depart. Until next time~!

[Keeping record of any new island they came across was a pretty smart idea. However, the place left him quite miserable really, but you won't hear any complaints here, nooope completely out of his element so the least he could do to keep himself occupied was jot down some notes by the fireside.]

My crew and I were blown to a southern island labeled on the map as Manilla. I only say that since so far we haven't found any other signs of life to say otherwise. What we have found so far is sand, more sand, some rocks of varying sizes and more sand. Some of the larger stone platforms seem to have been dug out underneath and provide mild shade during the daytime, but there are some reptilian creatures that make their home under there.

[There's a brief pause as he looks out to their destination, the large building still some distance away and shadowed against the evening sky, then back to the book.]

This is likely to change. There is some large structure toward the center of the island, hopefully the walls to some city. If we find out anything more, it will be when we arrive there.

--Archie

[Archie hadn't bothered with the journal since he first arrived here. Yes it was a book he did not own and therefore should not have had with him, but last time he looked it was blank. He would have probably forgot about it completely until it fell out of his stuff if it wasn't for the fact that the little blond girl he was just talking to had pulled hers out. She said she was going to look for her friends and then turned to the journal. Curious he pulled out his own.]

Well this is strange, isn't it?

[There's actually some fascination in watching letters appear on the blank pages even as he's turning them. He's... not as smooth as he'd like to think he is though in trying to glance at what the girl is writing, as he thinks he found the page she was on.]

.... I'm sorry for bothering you again, but, can everyone else see this?

[He holds the book open for her to see the writing completely unaware that "everyone" is listening as well.]