Spoilers
From what I got from the story , There was a normal people who lived by the land , growing stuff . From the heavens / stars / space the carpet / scrolls came along , giving them spiritual powers and energy . They used this power to build a advanced society , the carpet scrolls powering the citys . they moved on from farming and build more and more and higher and higher
However the power dissapered . And fighting broke out over the carpets that were left , war with the dragon thingys also powerd with carpets . With power dissapearing and the war , everything turned to ruins , death and sand . Tons of graves
From the cutscenes they show you coming from the stars / space , what for not sure yet . But going to to the mountain to find something
You gain more spiritual power and learn the history in the secrets and visions with the White one . They lead you the way
Now in the snowstorm , I figure either you die and you go to niarvana / heaven , or the white ones give you the power and boost to continue to the mountain . If you die and go there , when you reach the end you are reborn and start the journey again
Birth , Childhood , Adolescence , Adulthood , Old age , Self actualization , Rebirth . The journey of life
Also , kinda if you make the journey through life with another person , its easier