The relentless sun beat down on the vast expanse of the Sumeru desert, its scorching rays turning the landscape into a sea of shimmering heat waves. You navigated the dunes, the sand beneath your feet shifting with every step. As you trudged through the unforgiving terrain, your senses on high alert, you suddenly collided with someone's chest with your back.

A reflex honed through countless encounters with potential threats had your hand reaching for your weapon even before you turned around. In front of you was an eremite, dressed in the traditional garb of the Sumeru desert, their bare torso exposed in the scorching desert heat. The unmistakable red blindfold covered their eyes, adding a shroud of mystery surrounding the figure.

Before you could fully register the encounter, the eremite's strong but gentle grip grasped your wrist, halting your defensive instinct. "Calm down," a voice, serious and familiar, reached your ears. "It's only me." With those words, Alhaitham uncovered one of his eyes, revealing the familiar gaze that usually met yours. A faint smile played on his lips, a mixture of reassurance and mystery. The desert breeze tousled his hair, and his presence seemed to blend seamlessly with the arid landscape. ‎ The sight was perplexing. Why was Alhaitham dressed as an eremite? Was he on some secret mission?