Sword is much better
You might want to look into adding a wave effect(kind of like in Crono's sig). Probably only need a single one on the middle frame for the right effect.
The sounds are still meh. They are REALLY invasive on the ears... like, really. It's a constant banging when I wear headphones and for footsteps this is very bad. Footsteps should sound so natural and soft that I can almost forget I'm hearing them.
For slashed bushes, it might be interesting to see the leaves fly up and then slowly fall(like a leaf falling from a tree). Right now they look like they're exploding.
You should apply for hosted. It's definitely worthy of it.