Seems like the God is the snake from the that story and the golden eyed girl we just saw from Theo’s vision upon contact with the iron crown(fang) piece is the panther. The panther was defeated but it managed to lodge a tooth in the snake which it swallowed and it can’t get rid of it. That tooth seems to be the iron crown which has to be pieced together and it’ll probably be used to defeat the God. Also probably why Theo’s family has a history of not supporting the religion because they’re purpose is to defeat the god of that very religion.
Tldr: God= snake, Iron Crown= panther fang. Iron crown when pieced together will be a tool to finish of the God.
At least that’s my understanding of it.
I'm so utterly and genuinely confused and it's irritating me. What is going on?!??