:root {
            --bg-light: #ffffff;
            --bg-gray: #f8fafc;
            --primary: #422772; /* French Violet */
            --primary-soft: #321d54;
            --primary-light: #563b8a;
            --secondary: #E52579;
            --accent: #88C1EF;
            --text-main: #212121;
            --text-muted: #2d3748;
            --card-bg: #ffffff;
            --border-color: #e2e8f0;
            --success: #10b981;
            --transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
        }

        * {
            margin: 0;
            padding: 0;
            box-sizing: border-box;
            font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
        }

        body {
            background-color: var(--bg-light);
            color: var(--text-main);
            overflow-x: hidden;
            line-height: 1.6;
        }

        /* Marquee Ribbon */


        .news-ribbon {
            background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--primary), var(--secondary));
            color: white;
            padding: 10px 0;
            font-size: 0.9rem;
            font-weight: 500;
            overflow: hidden;
            position: relative;
            z-index: 1001;
            display: flex;
        }

        .marquee-content {
            display: flex;
            white-space: nowrap;
            animation: marquee 25s linear infinite;
        }

        .marquee-content span {
            margin: 0 2rem;
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            gap: 0.5rem;
        }

        @keyframes marquee {
            0% { transform: translateX(0); }
            100% { transform: translateX(-50%); }
        }

        /* Header */
        

        .logo {
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            gap: 0.8rem;
            text-decoration: none;
        }

        .logo-icon {
            width: 40px; height: 40px;
            background: var(--primary);
            color: white;
            border-radius: 12px;
            display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center;
            font-size: 1.1rem;
        }

        .logo-text h1 { font-size: 1.8rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.2; color: #212121; text-shadow: none; letter-spacing: 1.5px; }
        .logo-text p { font-size: 0.85rem; color: #212121; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0.5px; }

        .nav-links {
            display: flex;
            gap: 2rem;
        }

        .nav-links a {
            text-decoration: none;
            color: #212121;
            text-shadow: none;
            font-weight: 700;
            font-size: 0.95rem;
            transition: var(--transition);
            position: relative;
        }

        .nav-links a:hover, .nav-links a.active {
            color: var(--primary);
        }

        .nav-links a::after {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            bottom: -5px; left: 0; width: 0; height: 2px;
            background: var(--primary);
            transition: var(--transition);
        }

        .nav-links a:hover::after, .nav-links a.active::after { width: 100%; }

        .auth-btns { display: flex; gap: 1rem; }
        .btn { padding: 0.6rem 1.5rem; border-radius: 30px; font-weight: 600; font-size: 0.9rem; text-decoration: none; transition: var(--transition); cursor: pointer; border: 1px solid transparent; }
        
        .auth-btns .btn-outline {
            background: transparent;
            border: 2px solid #212121;
            color: #212121;
            font-weight: 700;
        }

        .auth-btns .btn-outline:hover {
            background: #212121;
            color: white;
            border-color: #212121;
        }

        .btn-outline {
            background: transparent;
            color: var(--primary);
            border-color: var(--primary);
        }
        
        .btn-outline:hover {
            background: rgba(49, 0, 74, 0.05);
        }

        .btn-solid {
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #E52579 0%, #88C1EF 100%);
            color: white;
            border: none;
        }

        .auth-btns .btn-outline {
            background: transparent;
            border: 2px solid #212121; 
            color: #212121;
            font-weight: 700;
        }

        .auth-btns .btn-outline:hover {
            background: #212121;
            color: white;
            border-color: #212121;
        }

        .btn-solid {
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--secondary) 0%, var(--accent) 100%);
            color: white;
            box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(109, 40, 217, 0.2);
        }

        .btn-solid:hover {
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary) 0%, var(--secondary) 100%);
            transform: translateY(-2px);
            box-shadow: 0 8px 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
        }

        /* Hero Section */
        .hero {
            min-height: 100vh !important;
            display: flex;
            flex-direction: column;
            justify-content: center;
            align-items: center;
            padding: 40px 5% 90px !important;
            text-align: center;
            background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(20, 10, 38, 0.88) 0%, rgba(20, 10, 38, 0.72) 100%), url('../images/veterian.jpg') !important;
            background-size: cover !important;
            background-position: center !important;
            background-repeat: no-repeat !important;
            background-attachment: fixed;
            position: relative;
            overflow: hidden;
            color: white;
            margin-top: -100px;
        }

        .hero > * {
            text-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6) !important;
        }



        .hero-badge {
            display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem;
            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
            color: white;
            backdrop-filter: blur(5px);
            border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
            padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
            border-radius: 20px;
            font-size: 0.85rem; font-weight: 600;
            margin-bottom: 1rem;
            animation: slideDown 0.8s ease;
        }

        .hero h1 {
            font-size: 4rem;
            font-weight: 700;
            line-height: 1.1;
            margin-bottom: 1rem;
            color: white;
            animation: slideUp 0.8s 0.2s backwards;
        }

        .text-gradient {
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, #8b5cf6 0%, #ec4899 100%) !important;
            -webkit-background-clip: text !important;
            -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent !important;
        }

        .hero p {
            font-size: 1.05rem;
            color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.88);
            max-width: 700px;
            margin: 0 auto 0;
            animation: slideUp 0.8s 0.4s backwards;
        }

        .hero-actions {
            display: flex; gap: 1rem; justify-content: center;
            animation: slideUp 0.8s 0.6s backwards;
        }

        /* Feature Slider Section (Sideways Continuous Marquee Slider) */
        .feature-slider-section {
            width: 90% !important;
            max-width: 1300px !important;
            margin: 0 auto !important;
            padding: 1rem 0 1.5rem !important;
            position: relative;
            overflow: hidden !important;
            box-sizing: border-box !important;
            border-radius: 16px !important;
        }

        .feature-slider-section::before {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            top: 0;
            left: 0;
            width: 18%;
            height: 100%;
            background: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) 0%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 100%);
            z-index: 5;
            pointer-events: none;
        }

        .feature-slider-section::after {
            content: '';
            position: absolute;
            top: 0;
            right: 0;
            width: 18%;
            height: 100%;
            background: linear-gradient(to left, rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) 0%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 100%);
            z-index: 5;
            pointer-events: none;
        }

        .feature-slider-track {
            display: flex !important;
            gap: 2rem !important;
            width: max-content !important;
            animation: marquee 20s linear infinite !important;
            box-sizing: border-box !important;
            padding: 1.5rem 0 2rem !important;
        }

        .feature-slider-track:hover {
            animation-play-state: paused !important;
        }

        .feature-slide {
            flex: 0 0 220px !important;
            width: 220px !important;
            min-width: 220px !important;
            margin: 0 !important;
            box-sizing: border-box !important;
            transition: all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1) !important;
        }

        .feature-slide:hover {
            transform: translateY(-8px) scale(1.02) !important;
            z-index: 10;
        }

        .feature-card {
            background: #ffffff !important;
            backdrop-filter: blur(20px) saturate(180%) !important;
            -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(20px) saturate(180%) !important;
            border: 1px solid rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.3) !important;
            padding: 1.5rem !important;
            border-radius: 16px !important;
            text-align: left !important;
            height: 100% !important;
            width: 100% !important;
            box-sizing: border-box !important;
            box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03) !important;
            transition: all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1) !important;
            display: flex !important;
            flex-direction: column !important;
            align-items: flex-start !important;
            gap: 0.4rem !important;
        }

        .feature-card h3 {
            color: #212121 !important;
            font-weight: 700 !important;
            font-size: 1.1rem !important;
            margin-bottom: 0 !important;
            background: none !important;
            -webkit-text-fill-color: initial !important;
        }

        .feature-card p {
            color: #212121 !important;
            font-weight: 400 !important;
            font-size: 0.85rem !important;
            line-height: 1.4 !important;
            margin-bottom: 0 !important;
        }

        .feature-slide:hover .feature-card {
            border-color: rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.55) !important;
            box-shadow: 0 20px 40px rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.08) !important;
            background: #ffffff !important;
        }

        .f-icon {
            width: 64px !important;
            height: 64px !important;
            border-radius: 50% !important;
            display: flex !important;
            align-items: center !important;
            justify-content: center !important;
            font-size: 1.6rem !important;
            margin-bottom: 0.5rem !important;
            background: rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.15) !important;
            color: #422772 !important;
            border: 2px solid rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.25) !important;
            box-shadow: none !important;
            transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1) !important;
        }

        .f-icon-container {
            width: 80px !important;
            height: 80px !important;
            border-radius: 50% !important;
            display: flex !important;
            align-items: center !important;
            justify-content: center !important;
            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.92) !important;
            border: 2px solid rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.12) !important;
            box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.06) !important;
            transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1) !important;
            margin-bottom: 0.5rem !important;
            overflow: visible !important;
        }

        .f-slider-img {
            width: 54px !important;
            height: 54px !important;
            object-fit: contain !important;
            margin-bottom: 0.2rem !important;
            filter: drop-shadow(0 6px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08)) !important;
            transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1) !important;
        }

        .feature-slide:hover .f-icon-container {
            transform: scale(1.12) rotate(5deg) !important;
            background: #ffffff !important;
            border-color: rgba(229, 37, 121, 0.35) !important;
            box-shadow: 0 16px 32px rgba(229, 37, 121, 0.18) !important;
        }

        .feature-slide:hover .f-slider-img {
            transform: scale(1.08) translateY(-4px) !important;
            filter: drop-shadow(0 10px 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12)) !important;
        }

        @keyframes marquee {
            0% { transform: translate3d(0, 0, 0); }
            100% { transform: translate3d(calc(-50% - 1rem), 0, 0); }
        }

        .stats-container {
            max-width: 1400px;
            margin: 0 auto 1.5rem;
            display: grid;
            grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
            gap: 1.2rem;
            padding: 0 5%;
        }

        .stat-box {
            background: var(--card-bg);
            border: 1px solid var(--border-color);
            padding: 1.2rem 1.2rem;
            border-radius: 16px;
            box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.02);
            transition: var(--transition);
        }

        .stat-box:hover {
            transform: translateY(-5px);
            box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
        }

        .stat-top {
            display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 1rem;
        }

        .stat-icon {
            width: 40px; height: 40px;
            background: #f3e8ff; color: var(--primary);
            border-radius: 10px; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
            font-size: 1.2rem;
        }

        .stat-trend {
            font-size: 0.8rem; color: var(--success); background: rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.1); padding: 0.2rem 0.5rem; border-radius: 20px; font-weight: 600;
        }

        .stat-number { font-size: 2.5rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(--text-main); line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }
        .stat-label { font-size: 0.9rem; color: var(--text-muted); }

        /* Split Section: Benefits & Stories */
        .split-section {
            max-width: 1400px; margin: 0 auto; display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 3rem; padding: 4rem 5% 2.5rem;
        }

        .section-title { 
            font-size: 2.2rem; 
            font-weight: 700; 
            color: #212121 !important; 
            margin-bottom: 1rem; 
            background: none !important;
            -webkit-background-clip: initial !important;
            -webkit-text-fill-color: initial !important;
            display: inline-block;
        }

        .section-desc { 
            color: #2d3748 !important; 
            margin-bottom: 1rem; 
            font-size: 1rem !important; 
            font-weight: 500 !important; 
        }

        .benefits-list { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 1rem; }
        .benefit-item { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 1rem; background: var(--bg-gray); padding: 1rem; border-radius: 10px; border: 1px solid var(--border-color); transition: var(--transition); }
        .benefit-item span { color: #212121 !important; font-weight: 600 !important; font-size: 0.98rem !important; }
        .benefit-item:hover { transform: translateX(10px); border-color: var(--primary); }
        .benefit-icon { color: var(--primary); }

        .stories-list { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 1.5rem; }
        .story-card { background: var(--card-bg); border: 1px solid var(--border-color); padding: 1.5rem; border-radius: 16px; border-left: 4px solid var(--primary); position: relative; transition: var(--transition); }
        .story-card:hover { box-shadow: 0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.05); }
        .story-text { font-style: italic; color: #212121 !important; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-weight: 500 !important; font-size: 0.98rem !important; }
        .story-author { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 1rem; }
        .author-avatar { width: 40px; height: 40px; background: var(--primary); color: white; border-radius: 50%; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; font-weight: bold; }
        .author-info h4 { font-size: 0.95rem; color: #212121 !important; font-weight: 700 !important; }
        .author-info p { font-size: 0.8rem; color: #2d3748 !important; font-weight: 500 !important; }

        /* CTA */
        .cta-section { text-align: center; padding: 4rem 5% 3rem; }
        .cta-badge { display: inline-block; padding: 0.5rem 1.5rem; background: var(--bg-gray); border: 1px solid var(--border-color); border-radius: 30px; font-size: 0.9rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--text-main); margin-bottom: 1.5rem; }
        .cta-section h2 { font-size: 3.5rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(--primary); margin-bottom: 1.5rem; }
        .cta-section p { font-size: 1.2rem !important; color: #2d3748 !important; max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto 2rem; font-weight: 500 !important; }
        .cta-features { display: flex; justify-content: center; gap: 2rem; margin-top: 2rem; color: #2d3748 !important; font-size: 0.95rem !important; font-weight: 600 !important; }
        .cta-features span::before { content: '•'; color: var(--primary); margin-right: 0.5rem; font-weight: bold; }

        /* Footer */
        

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

        /* Animations */
        @keyframes slideUp { from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(30px); } to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); } }
        @keyframes slideDown { from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(-20px); } to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); } }
        .reveal { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(30px); transition: all 0.8s ease; }
        .reveal.active { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }

        /* Wave Effect */
        .wave-container {
            width: 100%;
            height: 100px;
            overflow: hidden;
            line-height: 0;
            background: transparent;
            margin-bottom: -2px;
            position: relative;
            z-index: 1;
        }

        .waves {
            position: relative;
            width: 100%;
            height: 100px;
            margin-bottom: -5px;
        }

        .parallax > use {
            animation: move-forever 12s cubic-bezier(.55,.5,.45,.5) infinite !important;
        }
        .parallax > use:nth-child(1) { animation-delay: -2s; animation-duration: 4s !important; }

        @keyframes move-forever {
            0% { transform: translate3d(-90px, 0, 0); }
            100% { transform: translate3d(85px, 0, 0); }
        }

        .hero-wave {
            background: transparent;
            z-index: 10;
        }

        /* Animated hero wave slider */
        .hero-wave-slider {
            display: flex;
            width: 2880px; /* 2 x 1440px */
            animation: hero-wave-slide 9s linear infinite;
        }

        @keyframes hero-wave-slide {
            0%   { transform: translateX(0); }
            100% { transform: translateX(-1440px); }
        }

        @media (max-width: 1024px) {
            .stats-container, .features-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
            .split-section { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
            
            .hero h1 { font-size: 3.5rem; }
        }
        @media (max-width: 768px) {
            .nav-links { display: none; }
            .stats-container, .features-grid, 
            .cta-features { flex-direction: column; gap: 0.5rem; }
        }
    
        /* Top Utility Bar */
        .top-utility-bar {
            background: #422772 !important;
            border-bottom: none !important;
            color: white;
            font-size: 0.8rem;
            padding: 0.4rem 5%;
            z-index: 1002;
            position: relative;
        }
        .utility-container {
            display: flex;
            justify-content: space-between;
            align-items: center;
        }
        .utility-right {
            display: flex;
            align-items: center;
            gap: 10px;
        }
        .utility-right button, .utility-right select {
            background: rgba(255,255,255,0.15);
            border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3);
            color: white;
            padding: 3px 8px;
            border-radius: 4px;
            cursor: pointer;
            transition: all 0.3s ease;
            font-size: 0.8rem;
        }
        .utility-right button:hover, .utility-right select:hover {
            background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);
        }
        .utility-right select option {
            color: #333;
        }
        .utility-right .divider {
            width: 1px;
            height: 15px;
            background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);
            margin: 0 5px;
        }
        
        /* Shimmer Shining Card Effect for Header & Footer */
        
        
        

    
        .auth-btns .btn-solid {
            background: #e52579 !important;
            color: white !important;
            border: none !important;
            font-weight: 700 !important;
            box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(229, 37, 121, 0.3) !important;
            padding: 0.6rem 1.8rem !important;
            border-radius: 30px !important;
            transition: all 0.3s ease !important;
        }
        .auth-btns .btn-solid:hover {
            background: #c2185b !important;
            color: white !important;
            transform: translateY(-2px) !important;
            box-shadow: 0 6px 22px rgba(229, 37, 121, 0.5) !important;
        }

        /* Specific major section titles with premium text gradients */
        .split-section h2.section-title, 
        .cta-section h2 {
            background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--purple-main) 0%, var(--pink-main) 100%) !important;
            -webkit-background-clip: text !important;
            -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent !important;
            color: transparent !important;
            display: inline-block !important;
        }

        /* Center align CTA content layout */
        .cta-section {
            text-align: center !important;
            padding: 6rem 5% !important;
            display: flex !important;
            flex-direction: column !important;
            align-items: center !important;
            justify-content: center !important;
        }

        /* Every card on the home page - Super Light 3.5% Purple Background & Hover Highlight */
        .feature-card, .stat-box, .story-card {
            background: rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.035) !important;
            border: 1px solid rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.15) !important;
            box-shadow: 0 8px 32px rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.02) !important;
            transition: all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1) !important;
        }

        .feature-slide:hover .feature-card, 
        .stat-box:hover, 
        .story-card:hover {
            background: rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.08) !important;
            border-color: rgba(229, 37, 121, 0.3) !important;
            box-shadow: 0 16px 40px rgba(66, 39, 114, 0.08) !important;
            transform: translateY(-8px) scale(1.02) !important;
        }

        /* Reusable premium solid pink button styling for CTA & Benefits split-section */
        .cta-section .btn-solid,
        .split-section .btn-solid {
            background: #e52579 !important;
            color: white !important;
            border: none !important;
            box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(229, 37, 121, 0.3) !important;
            font-weight: 700 !important;
            padding: 0.8rem 2.2rem !important;
            border-radius: 30px !important;
            transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1) !important;
            display: inline-flex !important;
            align-items: center !important;
            justify-content: center !important;
        }
        
        .cta-section .btn-outline {
            display: inline-flex !important;
            align-items: center !important;
            justify-content: center !important;
            padding: 0.8rem 2.2rem !important;
            font-weight: 700 !important;
            border-radius: 30px !important;
        }
        .cta-section .btn-solid:hover,
        .split-section .btn-solid:hover {
            background: #c2185b !important;
            box-shadow: 0 12px 30px rgba(229, 37, 121, 0.45) !important;
            transform: translateY(-2px) !important;
        }

        /* Compress line-height and margins of Ready to Start Your Next Chapter title */
        .cta-section h2 {
            line-height: 1.15 !important;
            margin-bottom: 0.8rem !important;
            font-size: 3.2rem !important;
        }

        /* Compress bottom padding to footer gap */
        .cta-section {
            padding: 2.2rem 5% 0.5rem !important;
        }

        /* Shrink footer wave graphic by half to pull footer up cleanly */
        .wave-container, .wave-container .waves {
            height: 50px !important;
        }