Dark, Gloomy Forest

A great prompt today, thanks Leslie.  I seem to be making a habit of creating openings, but never getting much further.  I think I need to set my sights a little lower!

Anyway, here is today's offering.  As before, I may make this into a full blown story, one day.

Andromeda returned to the heart of the forest.  The further she ventured, the more disheartened she became.  Only days ago this rich dense landscape was vibrant with a plethora of flora and fauna; the ecological centre of the mythical kingdom.  Now branches of trees hung down, their leaves covered in scaly red blotches.   Tall plants with firm spiky leaves now sagged; the stench of decay filled the air.

The strange mist that descended over the forest yesterday must have caused the devastation.  A large silver vessel in the sky appeared above the trees; it released clouds of swirling yellow mist that enveloped the forest with a caustic, choking smell.  Afterwards a violent thunderstorm erupted, drenching the forest turning the trails into a soggy cauldron of mud.

In the kingdom this morning many people were sick, their skin turning a pale yellow colour, their limbs became weak and their heads felt as though their skulls might explode.