Hey readers, I need your help!

So, here’s the thing: I’ve hit a bit of a creative wall with Chapter 37. It’s supposed to be about the Salamanders’ first minor deployment, a rescue mission, but I’ve ended up writing it three different ways. And honestly? I’m completely torn on which one works best.

Each version pits them against a different enemy, and each one takes the story in its own exciting direction. I thought I’d share what I’ve got so far and see what you think:

1. Chaos Forces

So, the Salamanders head out to investigate a distress call from an Imperial outpost. Except when they get there, everything seems… weirdly normal. No signs of battle, no Chaos cults chanting ominously in the distance, just a quiet, intact outpost. Too quiet.

Things start off as expected when they run into some trouble, but it’s nothing they can’t handle. The fight seems like a win, but something feels off. The air gets heavier, shadows seem to stretch unnaturally, and that nagging feeling of... (Spoiler alert! Content deleted)

Before they know it, everything flips on its head. They’re suddenly neck-deep in a situation way bigger and way scarier than they signed up for. What was supposed to be a rescue mission turns into a fight for survival against something they never saw coming.

2. Ork Forces

The Salamanders are deployed to rescue a mining facility where workers are trapped in the middle of an Ork assault. The mission starts as expected: brutal, chaotic, and filled with the roar of battle. Daedren and his group face wave after wave of greenskins, fighting valiantly to push through and complete their objective.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

But then, everything changes. A sudden, catastrophic event throws the battlefield into utter chaos, leaving both the Salamanders and the Orks in an unimaginable situation. What follows is a journey into the unknown, where survival takes precedence over everything else, and even the fiercest enemies must question the lines they’ve drawn.

3. Tyranid Forces

The Salamanders are sent to a world on the edge of a Tyranid infestation, tasked with rescuing survivors before the swarm consumes everything. At first, the mission feels manageable, dangerous, but nothing the Salamanders can’t handle. The team fights through endless waves of chittering horrors, their discipline and flame-cleansing weapons pushing back the tide.

But the deeper they go, the worse it gets. The infestation seems endless, with stronger and more terrifying creatures emerging from the shadows. Each step forward feels like being swallowed further into a nightmare they can’t escape from.

And then, they encounter something different, something far more dangerous. A Tyranid psyker (Zoanthrope) of immense power reveals itself, a creature unlike anything Daedren and his team have faced before. From that moment, everything spirals out of control. The battle takes an unimaginable turn, and the Salamanders find themselves flung far from the Imperium, stranded in a place no one knew existed: the ancient, alien birthplace of the Tyranid swarm.

Here’s the kicker: I’ve already mapped out where the story could go for each of these options. Chaos, Orks, or Tyranids, each one sends the Salamanders down a different path that I’m excited about. But right now, I have no clue which direction to commit to!

What do you think? Which enemy would you love to see the Salamanders face? Let me know, I’d really appreciate your input as I try to decide.

Thanks for sticking with me through this creative crossroads. You’re the best, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

* Yours, The Dao of the Sword