It's cool author, no one's calling you lame, and you have some nice adult-ish arguments there, with which I don't totally agree, lol.

You know you can edit your entries until the contest closes right?
IMO, you lack background, I know it's extra work ( and my least favorite part of chopping) but it adds a great effect, why not try some paved stone on the floor and placing the scene in a catacomb, ruins, cracked earth, on a hill with mountains around -I'm brainstorming right now.

You could have extended the arms downward to go behind the rock. (You still can...). I don't think they had short sleeved armor back in the day.
Also, the glow around the sword should be different than the glow around the armor to help it pop.

It lacks a bit of depth and shadows on the side of the rock, but the idea is excellent and nicely executed.