Diffraction is the third Quest in Act 8 Chapter 2: Blinding Light, and was released on April 19, 2023. It contains 6 paths and has 7 Opponents per path, with Joe Fixit 
, Nimrod 
or Ronan 
as the final boss.
It is preceded by 8.2.2: Refraction and succeeded by 8.2.4: Looking Glass.
Dialogue[]
Guillotine: It would seem this “Glykhan” person has decided to bring the fight to us, non?
Carina: It’s certainly a unique tactic, turning the mercs and jerks of the Battlerealm against us before we can even find them.
Civil Warrior: With so many bounty boards in the realm, it won’t be long before every gun for hire is out to get us. Carina: Unless… we use those bounty boards to our advantage! If we can get to one of the bigger ones, we might be able to pull some info on Glykhan. Carina: Maybe find out who they are, or clues as to their whereabouts.
Ægon: A clever tactic. Use our enemy’s plot to expose them. Sadly, I do not know the whereabouts of any of those “bounty boards”. Carina: Neither do I, but I think I know a couple of trustworthy folks who might.
- Transmission #1 - Upon starting the Quest
Carina: Hey there Bucky, I was wondering if you could-
Winter Soldier: Oh god, look, take whatever you want and go. I don’t want any trouble. Carina: Whoah, Bucky, it’s alright. Nobody’s gonna harm you, we just wanted to ask about bounty boards in the Battlerealm. Winter Soldier: Seriously? Your pal the Summoner there beats me up every chance they can get, so you’ll have to forgive me for being a little on edge. Winter Soldier: And besides that, your reputation isn’t so hot either, Carina. I’ve heard stories about what happens when folks don’t give you what you want. Winter Soldier: So if it’s all the same, I’d rather leave you to whatever trouble you’re in, and get back to my solitude. Ægon: Now listen here you- Carina: No Aegon, let him go. I know someone else we can ask…
- Transmission #2
Carina: Aegon… am I doing the right thing? I feel like I am, and deep down I know we need to stop Ouroboros just like we’ve stopped villains in the past. Carina: But I never felt like the bad guy while I was doing it. It just makes me wonder… did they ever realize they were the bad guys? Carina: Did my uncle ever see himself as the villain? Did my father? Ægon: Carina, you are nothing like them. You may still be inexperienced, but your heart is kind and filled with compassion. Ægon: But I do believe that it would behoove you to never be egocentric in your position, or your power. Carina: Hm. Yeah, thanks Stardust.
- Transmission #3
Carina: Hey Flash! Long time no see. You got a moment to-
Agent Venom: I don’t make time for childish despots, so unless you’re gonna force me to stay here and answer your questions… Agent Venom: I’ll be on my way, and you and your “attack dogs” can find someone else to interrogate. Guillotine: Agent Venom you speak out of turn! Carina is not a “despot”, she’s repeatedly saved us all from villains like the Grandmaster and Kang! Agent Venom: Oh yeah? And how did she go about it? Oh right, by siccing the Summoner on the people who disagreed with her. Agent Venom: You’ve all done a lot of good, I’ll give you that. Agent Venom: But you’re fool’n yourselves if you think you’re more than a stone’s throw away from becoming the very villains you put away. Carina: Look, I get it, I’ve got plenty of growing up to do, and I promise I’m working on it. But the people we’re chasing make Kang look like a Nova Corps recruit. Carina: And if we can’t figure out how to find them before they do some real damage, there’s no telling how many folks could be lost. Agent Venom: ...fine, but just this once.
- Transmission #4
Caption: Following Agent Venom’s directions, Carina and company find themselves in front of a seedy bounty hunter bar in Hell’s Kitchen…
Joe Fixit: Well if it isn’t Princess Sparklepony herself. Beat it kid, this bar is for members only, and trust me when I say you ain’t a member. Carina: Joe, I am in no mood to be condescended to, and I don’t have time for the banter, so do us both a favor and lemme have a look at your bounty board. Joe Fixit: No can do kiddo. My board also happens to be exclusive to members. Besides, what you wanna look at my board for? You pick’n up bounties now? Carina: Someone put a hit out on the Summoner, and I want a better look at who it was. Joe Fixit: Then I’m doubly certain you ain’t get’n in toots. It would ruin my reputation if I gave up the identity of a client. Carina: Look. Joe. I am trying to be civil about this and I am running out of patience for all of this “doll” and “toots” stuff. Joe Fixit: Aw, but I hadn’t even used “doll” yet… doll. Carina: That’s it! Joe Fixit: Haha! Now it’s a party! Let’s tussle kiddo!
- Transmission #5A - Before fighting Joe Fixit
Caption: Following Agent Venom’s directions, Carina and company find themselves in front of a Sentinel communications hub…
Carina: Why would the Sentinels have an open communications hub? This seems… strange.
Nimrod: Hunting mutants is work best left to Sentinels, but it’s occasionally worthwhile to outsource the endeavor to third party vendors. Carina: Give me one good reason not to tear down this entire communications array, and you along with it. Nimrod: Destroying the array won’t undo the bounty calling for the Summoner’s head. I assume that’s why you’re here? Nimrod: I normally wouldn’t entertain the notion of such a thing, but between Glykhan’s promised resources and a mutual hatred of the Summoner, well… Nimrod: ...it’s just logical to align our purposes with Ouroboros. Carina: I’m going through some stuff, so I was thinking I might give you a chance to walk away Nimrod. But now? Carina: I am fully committed to breaking you down for spare parts. Nimrod: Funny, I was going to say the same thing to you.
- Transmission #5B - Before fighting Nimrod
Caption: Following Agent Venom’s directions, Carina and company find themselves in front of an Intergalactic Kree Justice Office…
Carina: Ugh, Kree Justice doesn’t seem very… justice-y. It seems a little more… fascist-y.
Ronan: Your intolerence of foreign cultures disgusts me. I would have expected someone of your upbringing to be more… cultured. Carina: Intolerance? You’ve posted a bounty of Star-Lord for “failing to adhere to Kree modesty laws”! …actually, that one may be reasonable. Ronan: It cannot be helped that other lesser beings must be elevated by the guiding hand of the Kree. Ronan: I only regret resorting to something as crude as a “bounty board” in order to enforce it. Carina: And what about Ouroboros? Are they helping you “elevate” the Battlerealm?! Ronan: Glykhan is a man of culture. If you’re here to contest his bounty on the Summoner, know that you do so as an enemy of the Kree and of free speech. Carina: Free speech?! Glykhan is advocating for the murder of my friend! Ronan: I will not tolerate such intolerance in my office. It is clear that I must claim this bounty for myself, and for the honor of the Kree.
- Transmission #5C - Before fighting Ronan