Shadow Strike

There's very little background to be seen here, but what we can see is great. The confusion and dismay seen behind the giant griffon displays a mass of flying debris, creating the feeling of awe and power. However, it would have been nice to have a more recognisable scene/location despite the fact that there is meant to be a lot of fog. With the ground polluted with rocks and what seems to be dropped equipment, we have the sense of fear and helplessness as the creature before us makes our existence seem insignificant, fragile and tiny.
A magnificent job was done to the feathers. Not presenting a 'fur' texture, but an actual feathery look is amazing. The beak and and rest of hidden body is wonderful. Despite it being in shadows the griffon look comes off very well. The torn cloth around its body, with the pendant is very stylish and gives us the impression that the creature may either have been or still is quite civil in some sense.

Unfortunately for them, the equines had run into this terrifying creature. Their expressions of disbelief and fear are incredibly done; especially our mare to the right of the image. There are some exemplary details about each character, some wearing robes with bags and quills. Others wearing heavy steel armour; which by the way looks extremely and detailed and complex with the many layers overlapping. The look of hard and tough armour comes across nicely with that character.
There is a small and perhaps insignificant detail that many may shrug off, that is the pony on the far left has his/her eyes shut for this instance. Many other artists tend to keep their characters eyes wide open as if blinking was a foreign concept, however this can bring some realism to an image as sudden events usually cause people to flinch in some fashion.

There is a beautiful feeling of natural flow and movement in this image, which is often difficult of create. The manes, feathers, and poses of each figure seem to move together quite well.

Less glare from the background and more shaded areas over the standing and flying Conduits (although they are already dark black) may have left the observer with a more 'feared' emotion.

The little subtle drawings of, pick and hammer as well as other Conduits in the sky are wonderful additional details.

A piece with much excitement and fierceness. Amazingly detailed with a backstory to match.