Heroes of Mana

Heroes of Mana is a 2007 real-time strategy game for the Nintendo DS. It was developed by Brownie Brown and Square Enix and published by Square Enix. It is the fourth entry in the World of Mana subseries, following the release of Dawn of Mana three months prior. It is the only true sequel or prequel in the entire series, set approximately 20 years before Trials of Mana.

Story
''It was a long, long time ago-- Even before the Mana Goddess was born. A great witch from a realm yet unknown brought darkness to the world. Anise was her name. The odious witch was defeated by the guardians of the great tree-- But legend tell that her darkness and curse seeped through realms and spread over to many other worlds. And yet another legend has it-- When the world was still covered in darkness-- The Mana Goddess used the Sword of Mana to defeat the Benevodons that would lead the world to doom… Then sealed them into eight stones. This is how darkness retreated and the world was created. After completing her creation, the Mana Goddess turned herself into a large, wizened tree. It is told that the Mana Tree and the sword continue to watch the world from the forbidden Sanctuary. Time has passed-- Valsena, the kingdom of the green field; Ferolia, the kingdom of Beastmen; Altena, the kingdom of sorcery; Wendel, the holy capital; Laurent, the aerial fortress; Nevarl, the fortress in the sand. The nations of the world were shrouded in a peaceful but fleeting slumber…''
 * Opening cutscene