Zero complaints on arrangement, writing, and phrasing.

My only complaints are mix --
For the mysterious ticking noise, it can likely be turned down by a bit as sections go on, or oscillate in volume, as it is repetitive, having it always same volume, i.e. loud, leads to losing other parts of the composition. Also, a loud, soft, loud, soft velocity treatment could work.

There is a lot of reverb throughout. I would advise lessening it at points, or hipassing it so that it doesn't get too muddy in the 250 hz and below range

You've done crazy things with the xylos, which I think could be pushed up, panned across the stereo space

For your strings and other instruments which have a slow fading attack, I suggest moving note starts back until they come in on beat! they are twwwaaaah ing

Low timpanis/toms are pretty huge in the mix and could be pushed down

I would like more instruments doubling your harmony parts on long notes and backing chords, panned more liberally about the space

Beyond that, great work! I feel as though you are only limited by the quality of your instruments. Keep on the lookout for free sample instruments -- synful orchestra recently became free, btw. Worth checking out! MuseScore sound fonts also can be used in any daw with sforzando, and spitfire labs has a great selection.

Keep it up!

There's a lot of story telling and cinematic elements to this song, and I'm not even talking about the description you gave! The gradual tempo shifts, the build ups, the phases, they all work very well together to make this song feel like an adventure. If I were not to read the description you left and just imagine something along to this, it would definitely be a desert, and an uncertain journey type of feeling full of hope and mystery. The added in tick like percussion also amplifies the theme of time in the song. It's just amazing how much you managed to fit into those six minutes! I wanna say so much more but in general I just wanna say you did an amazing job, keep it coming!!