“The Challenge To Crown The Strongest Under The Heavens”, typically known simply as The Strongest Under The Heavens, is a fighting tournament organized by Inanna.
The vast majority of partecipants have been gods, but demigods and even mortals are known to have partecipated and even won.
It was the main focus of the storyline by the same name.
History
Inanna was the winner of the first tournament, four billion years ago when she defeated Uranus.
The contest was suspended during the reign of Kronos, but revived by Zeus.
It was suspended again by Hera since her husband had a habit of sleeping with most of the contestant.
The contest was revived once more in 23 AN at the request of Rhea.
Location
The tournament takes place in the Uruk Galaxy. The arena is often relocated to new planets since the last matches of a tournament are known to destroy the world.
Contestants are given their own temples where they can rest or train between matches.
Known rules
The tournament is typically hosted by Inanna, sometimes with a co-host.
Thoth typically serves as referee and delivers the invitations.
The hosts issue a challenge to the potential contestants, who can either decide to fight or to select a representative in their name.
Outside interference is not allowed and can be severely punished. There are no limits on weapons.
A contestant loses if declared unable to continue fighting by the referee, or in case of death; there doesn’t seem to be the possibility to surrender.
The tournament is by single elimination; there doesn’t seem to be a fixed number of contestants.
There is no set schedule for the tournament; Inanna holds it when she feels like it.
The prize
In addition to the honor of being declared the strongest, some editions of the tournament include a prize by Inanna: the winner can decide to kill any target or to make anyone fall madly in love.
Since Inanna is one of the most powerful beings in the universe, this gives the winner a tremendous opportunity.
Contests before 23 AN
Anubis is known to have won once, defeating Hera in the finals. Demeter also fought her.
Herakles is the only known demigod to have won a tournament, the same one where Ulysses partecipated.
23 AN edition
Officially “The 197th challenge of the 54th Epoch of the 7th Enlightened Era of Sumer to crown the Strongest Under The Heavens”, the last known edition was carried out at the request of Rhea, who co-hosted with Inanna.
The 16 contestants were require to select one spectator to watch them from the sidelines.
Circe: round of 16, defeated by Quantum
Deimos: round of 16, killed by Noriko Null
Dionysus: round of 16, defeated by Herakles
Hermes: round of 16, defeated by Adrestia (secretly threw the fight)
Nike: round of 16, defeated by Kari Zel
Pain: round of 16, defeated by Torn
Persephone: round of 16, defeated by Enyo
Vesta: round of 16, defeated by Artemis
Adrestia: quarter-final, defeated by Noriko Null
Herakles: quarter-final, defeated by Quantum
Kari Zel: quarter-final, defeated by Artemis
Torn: quarter-final, defeated by Enyo
Noriko Null: third place (tie due to double elimination)
Artemis: third place (tie due to double elimination)
Enyo: second place
Quantum: winner
Artemis and Noriko Null reached the semi-finals but were both eliminated simultaneously: Artemis was killed and Null was on the verge of death.
The semi-final between Quantum and Enyo served as the final.
The tournament ended with Quantum being declared the first mortal winner, wishing for the death of Abyss.