This is brilliant!  Especially those eyes...Did you use the color of the blade for his irises?   At first glance, the palette doesn't seem to interact with itself, but if you take a closer look you can see bits and pieces of foreign colors here and there.

What gets me is this term banding...I've read the article about two or three times, and I don't really get it.  I guess it's a matter of itsy bitsy details in the wrong place?

banding, by Helm.

Amazing!

Thanks a lot for the critic and good comments! =) The only thing I don't understand is "banding". My English and pixel terminology is not perfect, so can you explain me what is it, please?

rigozeta, yes, this is Iron Throne which made of swords.

Redshrike, what a coincidence! =D but I didn't watch Fate/Stay Night, and my only inspiration were books and Michael Komarck's illustrations.

 Glad you're back with the pixels. Great piece =D

banding is one thing, another one being the aa which is overused a bit here and there (makes things too soft). generally, i really enjoy this picture as it reminds me of old dungeon crawlers in vein of ishar or eye of the beholder; and it really makes me want to get back to playing these. 

it's good but there's a TON of banding

Nicely done! Has a Conan the Barbarian vibe about it.

Oh yes. I like it. Has a certain 80s Amiga game style.

Gilgamesh, anyone?

It's great, but a few highlights would really make him pop and make him more the focus of the pic.

 I love it but you should specify a light point.

Very good! 

Are all those behind the guy swords?

Good, but there's a bit too much AA that it generally looks blurry. Blood stain is very realistic.

nice

Beautyful piece!

Congratulations!