Nice! When I saw the preview, I thought, "What? I don't remember that artifact?" haha.
As for the sprite itself, it's petty strong! The technique and pixel work inside the helmet imitates Unseven's really well. However the horns on the helmet are not birght enough, they get lost in the aura around it. I would bring in a bright white in order to make them stand out. The aura itself is not bad, but I think it's a little bit pixelly. Breaking off the bits of energy in larger chunks, then allowing them to dissolve will make your aura feel less 'gritty'.
Nice work, and best of luck in the contest 
Nor really a contest...more like the prize for the 1# Place ^^
It is for the monthly Card-disign-contest on the forums...me as the last Pixel dude on the forums now have to make the prize for the winner...
BTW i dont feel competent enough...anyone from CP willing to make winner sprites instead? I maybe coud make a minion-sprite but a animation for the winner will be hard (got lucky this time that a artifact won
)