Yeah I'm not loving the first one either. I think its the way you have the light coming off the sword. Its far to strong which is kind of making the background colors above the sword itself way to washed out. Also you have all that light coming toward the sword and hitting it and it barely shows in the background so its kind of making a off balanced light source to a point (if you get what I'm saying). If you fixed that it would make it alot better. Either fade the light or maybe find a way to even it out. Your best bet would just be fade it though.

Second is much better, though like lumix said just abit more contrast and it would look alot better. =) GJ