For this illustration, my goal was to push the "Good Human fights Evil Monster" trope that is often used in fantasy art towards something more unexpected. 
This concept features a reinterpreted 'hero' character, who has stolen a religious artifact from a temple guarded by a large snake. Having outsmarted the Temple Guardian, the Thief is seen gloating rather arrogantly at it as they make their escape. 
I want to take time to thank Ilse Gort who was kind enough to give me a portfolio review— and who was the one who ultimately pushed me to redo this piece.

Illustration ALT Text: Illustration of an androgynous elven person triumphantly mid-vault over a rock with a golden snake artifact stolen from a temple clutched in their fist. They glance over their shoulder and smirk at the Temple's guardian, a gigantic green vine snake who is tangled up in a bunch of vines as they make their escape. The temple, made of grey stone, is overgrown by various tropical plants. A beautiful tapestry with snake imagery on it billows outwards from the entrance, insinuating that the thief has just exited from that direction. The sky is a beautiful sunset gradient. Artist's signature sits in gold in the lower right corner, with their website naladraws.com.