/* ==========================================================================
       1. COLOR SYSTEM & CORE STYLES
       ========================================================================== */
    :root {
      --red: #FF0000;
      --blue: #162E93;
      --cream: #F5E9D8;
      --green: #91D06C;
      --yellow: #FFF799;
      --dark: #0A0D18;
      --font-main: "Google Sans", sans-serif;
      --ease-out: cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
    }

    * {
      margin: 0;
      padding: 0;
      box-sizing: border-box;
      -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
    }

    html {
      scroll-behavior: smooth;
      font-family: var(--font-main);
      background-color: var(--cream);
      color: var(--dark);
    }

    body {
      overflow-x: hidden;
      width: 100vw;
      min-height: 100vh;
    }

    ::selection {
      background: var(--red);
      color: var(--cream);
    }

    /* TYPOGRAPHY TOOLKIT */
    h1, h2, h3, h4, .font-heading {
      font-family: var(--font-main);
      font-weight: 800;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      line-height: 0.88;
      letter-spacing: -0.04em;
    }

    p {
      font-size: 1.15rem;
      line-height: 1.65;
      font-weight: 400;
    }

    a {
      color: inherit;
      text-decoration: none;
    }

    button {
      background: none;
      border: none;
      font-family: inherit;
      cursor: pointer;
    }

    img {
      max-width: 100%;
      height: auto;
      display: block;
      object-fit: cover;
    }

    .thin-border {
      border: 1px solid currentColor;
    }

    /* MULTIPAGE SYSTEM */
    .page-view {
      display: none;
      width: 100%;
      min-height: 100vh;
      opacity: 0;
      transform: translateY(20px);
      transition: opacity 0.6s var(--ease-out), transform 0.6s var(--ease-out);
    }

    .page-view.active {
      display: block;
      opacity: 1;
      transform: translateY(0);
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       2. GLOBAL HEADER — THE EDITORIAL SIGNAL
       ========================================================================== */
    .city-sign-header {
      position: fixed;
      top: 20px;
      left: 50%;
      transform: translateX(-50%);
      z-index: 1000;
      width: calc(100% - 40px);
      max-width: 1300px;
      height: 64px;
      background: rgba(10, 13, 24, 0.92);
      backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
      -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
      border: 1px solid rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.2);
      border-radius: 100px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: space-between;
      padding: 0 8px 0 20px;
      color: var(--cream);
      box-shadow: 0 20px 50px rgba(0,0,0,0.35);
    }

    .brand-pill {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 12px;
      font-weight: 700;
      letter-spacing: 0.05em;
      font-size: 0.85rem;
      cursor: pointer;
    }

    .mgp-badge {
      width: 36px;
      height: 36px;
      background: var(--red);
      color: var(--cream);
      border-radius: 50%;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      font-size: 0.75rem;
      font-weight: 800;
    }

    .marquee-wrapper {
      overflow: hidden;
      white-space: nowrap;
      margin: 0 20px;
      position: relative;
      width: 45%;
      mask-image: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, #000 15%, #000 85%, transparent);
      -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, #000 15%, #000 85%, transparent);
    }

    .marquee-content {
      display: inline-block;
      animation: marquee 22s linear infinite;
      font-size: 0.75rem;
      letter-spacing: 0.15em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--yellow);
      font-weight: 700;
    }

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

    .nav-trigger-btn {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      background: var(--cream);
      color: var(--dark);
      width: 48px;
      height: 48px;
      border-radius: 50%;
      font-weight: 800;
      font-size: 0.75rem;
      letter-spacing: 0.08em;
      transition: all 0.3s var(--ease-out);
    }

    .nav-trigger-btn:hover {
      background: var(--yellow);
      transform: scale(1.08);
    }

    .reading-progress {
      position: fixed;
      top: 0;
      left: 0;
      height: 4px;
      background: var(--red);
      width: 0%;
      z-index: 1001;
      transition: width 0.1s linear;
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       3. NAVIGATION MAP OVERLAY
       ========================================================================== */
    .map-overlay {
      position: fixed;
      inset: 0;
      background: var(--dark);
      color: var(--cream);
      z-index: 2000;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      justify-content: space-between;
      padding: 40px 60px;
      opacity: 0;
      pointer-events: none;
      transition: opacity 0.5s var(--ease-out);
    }

    .map-overlay.active {
      opacity: 1;
      pointer-events: all;
    }

    .map-header {
      display: flex;
      justify-content: space-between;
      align-items: center;
      border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.15);
      padding-bottom: 20px;
    }

    .map-close-btn {
      color: var(--cream);
      font-size: 0.85rem;
      font-weight: 800;
      letter-spacing: 0.1em;
      background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
      padding: 10px 24px;
      border-radius: 30px;
      transition: background 0.3s ease;
    }

    .map-close-btn:hover {
      background: var(--red);
    }

    .map-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
      gap: 20px;
      margin: 40px 0;
    }

    .map-node {
      border: 1px solid rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.12);
      padding: 30px 24px;
      border-radius: 16px;
      background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.02);
      transition: all 0.4s var(--ease-out);
      cursor: pointer;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      justify-content: space-between;
      height: 180px;
    }

    .map-node:hover {
      background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
      transform: translateY(-6px);
      border-color: var(--yellow);
    }

    .node-num {
      font-size: 0.8rem;
      color: var(--yellow);
      font-weight: 800;
    }

    .node-title {
      font-size: 2rem;
      color: var(--cream);
      font-weight: 800;
    }

    .node-desc {
      font-size: 0.85rem;
      color: rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.6);
    }

    .map-footer {
      display: flex;
      justify-content: space-between;
      font-size: 0.8rem;
      color: rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.4);
      border-top: 1px solid rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.15);
      padding-top: 20px;
    }

    /* TRANSITION CURTAIN */
    .transition-curtain {
      position: fixed;
      inset: 0;
      background: var(--red);
      z-index: 3000;
      pointer-events: none;
      transform: scaleY(0);
      transform-origin: bottom;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      color: var(--cream);
    }

    .transition-curtain.active {
      animation: pageTransition 0.8s var(--ease-out) forwards;
    }

    @keyframes pageTransition {
      0% { transform: scaleY(0); transform-origin: bottom; }
      45% { transform: scaleY(1); transform-origin: bottom; }
      55% { transform: scaleY(1); transform-origin: top; }
      100% { transform: scaleY(0); transform-origin: top; }
    }

    .transition-text {
      font-size: 4rem;
      font-weight: 800;
      opacity: 0;
    }

    .transition-curtain.active .transition-text {
      animation: fadeInOut 0.7s ease forwards;
    }

    @keyframes fadeInOut {
      0%, 100% { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(20px); }
      40%, 60% { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       PAGE 01 — HOME
       ========================================================================== */
    /* THE GATE */
    #home-gate {
      min-height: 100vh;
      background-color: var(--cream);
      padding: 140px 5vw 80px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      justify-content: space-between;
      position: relative;
    }

    .gate-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1.2fr 0.8fr;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 40px;
    }

    .gate-title-block h1 {
      font-size: clamp(3.5rem, 8vw, 8.5rem);
      color: var(--dark);
    }

    .gate-title-block .huge-word {
      font-size: clamp(5rem, 14vw, 13rem);
      color: var(--red);
      display: block;
      line-height: 0.75;
      letter-spacing: -0.05em;
    }

    .gate-visual-stage {
      position: relative;
      height: 540px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
    }

    .fictional-landscape-img {
      width: 100%;
      height: 100%;
      object-fit: cover;
      border-radius: 20px;
      border: 1px solid var(--dark);
      filter: contrast(1.1) brightness(0.95);
    }

    .floating-label {
      position: absolute;
      font-size: 0.75rem;
      font-weight: 800;
      letter-spacing: 0.15em;
      background: var(--dark);
      color: var(--cream);
      padding: 10px 20px;
      border-radius: 30px;
      z-index: 3;
      box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
    }

    .lbl-1 { top: -20px; left: -20px; }
    .lbl-2 { bottom: 20px; right: -20px; background: var(--red); }
    .lbl-3 { top: 50%; right: -30px; background: var(--blue); cursor: pointer; transition: transform 0.3s; }
    .lbl-3:hover { transform: scale(1.1); }

    /* THE PLAZA */
    #home-plaza {
      min-height: 100vh;
      background-color: var(--red);
      color: var(--cream);
      padding: 120px 5vw;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      justify-content: space-between;
    }

    .plaza-heading {
      font-size: clamp(3.5rem, 8vw, 8.5rem);
      max-width: 1000px;
      margin-bottom: 60px;
    }

    .plaza-words-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
      gap: 30px;
    }

    .plaza-word-card {
      border: 2px solid var(--cream);
      padding: 40px;
      min-height: 480px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      justify-content: space-between;
      transition: all 0.4s var(--ease-out);
      position: relative;
      overflow: hidden;
      cursor: pointer;
      background-color: transparent;
    }

    .plaza-word-card:hover {
      background: var(--cream);
      color: var(--red);
      transform: translateY(-10px);
    }

    .plaza-word-title {
      font-size: clamp(3rem, 6vw, 6rem);
      font-weight: 800;
    }

    .plaza-word-preview {
      width: 100%;
      height: 200px;
      margin-top: 20px;
      overflow: hidden;
      border-radius: 12px;
      position: relative;
    }

    .plaza-word-preview img {
      width: 100%;
      height: 100%;
      object-fit: cover;
      transition: transform 0.6s ease;
    }

    .plaza-word-card:hover .plaza-word-preview img {
      transform: scale(1.08);
    }

    /* THE OBSERVATORY */
    #home-observatory {
      min-height: 100vh;
      background-color: var(--yellow);
      color: var(--dark);
      padding: 120px 5vw;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      position: relative;
      overflow: hidden;
    }

    .observatory-stage {
      position: relative;
      width: min(650px, 85vw);
      height: min(650px, 85vw);
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
    }

    .orbit-ring {
      position: absolute;
      inset: 0;
      border: 2px dashed var(--dark);
      border-radius: 50%;
      transition: transform 0.1s linear;
    }

    .orbit-node {
      position: absolute;
      font-weight: 800;
      font-size: 0.85rem;
      letter-spacing: 0.15em;
      background: var(--dark);
      color: var(--cream);
      padding: 10px 20px;
      border-radius: 30px;
    }

    .node-p1 { top: 0; left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%); }
    .node-p2 { top: 25%; right: -5%; }
    .node-p3 { bottom: 25%; right: -5%; }
    .node-p4 { bottom: 0; left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, 50%); }
    .node-p5 { bottom: 25%; left: -5%; }
    .node-p6 { top: 25%; left: -5%; }

    /* ==========================================================================
       PAGE 02 — CULTURE
       ========================================================================== */
    #culture {
      background-color: var(--blue);
      color: var(--cream);
    }

    .culture-hero {
      padding: 160px 5vw 100px;
      border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.15);
    }

    .culture-hero h1 {
      font-size: clamp(3.5rem, 9vw, 9rem);
      max-width: 1100px;
    }

    .culture-feature-grid {
      padding: 100px 5vw;
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1.2fr 0.8fr;
      gap: 60px;
      align-items: center;
    }

    .culture-feat-img-wrapper {
      width: 100%;
      height: 550px;
      border-radius: 20px;
      overflow: hidden;
      border: 1px solid rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.2);
    }

    .culture-feat-img-wrapper img {
      width: 100%;
      height: 100%;
      object-fit: cover;
    }

    .culture-stories-container {
      padding: 60px 5vw 120px;
    }

    .story-card-layout {
      padding: 60px 0;
      border-top: 1px solid rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.15);
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 0.2fr 0.8fr 1fr;
      gap: 40px;
      align-items: center;
    }

    .story-card-layout img {
      width: 100%;
      height: 240px;
      border-radius: 12px;
      object-fit: cover;
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       PAGE 03 — JOURNAL & LONGFORM
       ========================================================================== */
    #journal {
      background-color: var(--cream);
      color: var(--dark);
    }

    .journal-hero {
      padding: 160px 5vw 80px;
    }

    .journal-hero h1 {
      font-size: clamp(4rem, 11vw, 12rem);
    }

    .journal-feat-article {
      margin: 0 5vw 100px;
      border: 2px solid var(--dark);
      border-radius: 24px;
      padding: 60px;
      background: #fff;
    }

    .journal-feat-img-container {
      width: 100%;
      height: 480px;
      border-radius: 16px;
      overflow: hidden;
      margin-bottom: 40px;
    }

    .journal-feat-img-container img {
      width: 100%;
      height: 100%;
      object-fit: cover;
    }

    .journal-grid-archive {
      padding: 0 5vw 120px;
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(12, 1fr);
      gap: 30px;
    }

    .j-card {
      border: 1px solid var(--dark);
      padding: 40px;
      border-radius: 16px;
      background: #fff;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      justify-content: space-between;
    }

    .j-card img {
      width: 100%;
      height: 220px;
      border-radius: 8px;
      margin-top: 20px;
      object-fit: cover;
    }

    .j-c1 { grid-column: span 7; }
    .j-c2 { grid-column: span 5; }
    .j-c3 { grid-column: span 4; }
    .j-c4 { grid-column: span 8; }

    /* LONGFORM ARTICLE SECTION INSIDE JOURNAL */
    .journal-longform {
      padding: 100px 5vw 140px;
      max-width: 960px;
      margin: 0 auto;
      border-top: 2px solid var(--dark);
    }

    .sticky-cat-label {
      position: sticky;
      top: 100px;
      display: inline-block;
      font-weight: 800;
      background: var(--red);
      color: var(--cream);
      padding: 8px 16px;
      border-radius: 20px;
      font-size: 0.8rem;
      letter-spacing: 0.1em;
      margin-bottom: 20px;
    }

    .pull-quote {
      font-size: clamp(2rem, 4vw, 3.5rem);
      font-weight: 800;
      color: var(--red);
      line-height: 0.95;
      margin: 60px 0;
      padding: 40px 0;
      border-top: 2px solid var(--dark);
      border-bottom: 2px solid var(--dark);
    }

    .editorial-side-note {
      border-left: 3px solid var(--blue);
      padding-left: 20px;
      margin: 30px 0;
      font-style: italic;
      color: var(--blue);
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       PAGE 04 — LAB
       ========================================================================== */
    #lab {
      background-color: var(--green);
      color: var(--blue);
    }

    .lab-hero {
      padding: 160px 5vw 80px;
    }

    .lab-hero h1 {
      font-size: clamp(3.5rem, 9vw, 9.5rem);
    }

    .lab-experiments-grid {
      padding: 0 5vw 100px;
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(320px, 1fr));
      gap: 30px;
    }

    .lab-module {
      border: 2px solid var(--blue);
      border-radius: 20px;
      padding: 30px;
      background: rgba(22, 46, 147, 0.04);
      transition: all 0.4s var(--ease-out);
      min-height: 400px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      justify-content: space-between;
      cursor: pointer;
    }

    .lab-module:hover {
      background: var(--blue);
      color: var(--cream);
      transform: scale(1.02);
    }

    .lab-module img {
      width: 100%;
      height: 180px;
      border-radius: 12px;
      object-fit: cover;
      margin: 15px 0;
    }

    .lab-timeline {
      padding: 80px 5vw 120px;
      border-top: 2px solid var(--blue);
    }

    .timeline-bar {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
      gap: 40px;
      margin-top: 60px;
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       PAGE 05 — WORLDS
       ========================================================================== */
    #worlds {
      background-color: var(--red);
      color: var(--cream);
    }

    .worlds-hero {
      padding: 160px 5vw 100px;
    }

    .worlds-hero h1 {
      font-size: clamp(3.5rem, 9vw, 9.5rem);
    }

    .worlds-index-grid {
      padding: 0 5vw 140px;
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
      gap: 40px;
    }

    .world-card {
      border: 2px solid var(--cream);
      border-radius: 24px;
      padding: 40px;
      min-height: 600px;
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      justify-content: space-between;
      position: relative;
      background: rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
    }

    .world-visual-space {
      height: 300px;
      border-radius: 16px;
      overflow: hidden;
      margin: 20px 0;
      border: 1px solid rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.3);
    }

    .world-visual-space img {
      width: 100%;
      height: 100%;
      object-fit: cover;
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       PAGE 06 — FIELD NOTES
       ========================================================================== */
    #fieldnotes {
      background-color: var(--yellow);
      color: var(--dark);
    }

    .field-hero {
      padding: 160px 5vw 80px;
    }

    .field-notebook {
      margin: 0 5vw 120px;
      border: 2px solid var(--dark);
      border-radius: 20px;
      background: #fff;
      padding: 60px;
    }

    .notebook-entry {
      padding: 40px 0;
      border-bottom: 1px dashed var(--dark);
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 0.3fr 1fr 0.8fr;
      gap: 30px;
      align-items: center;
    }

    .notebook-entry img {
      width: 100%;
      height: 200px;
      border-radius: 12px;
      object-fit: cover;
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       PAGE 07 — ABOUT
       ========================================================================== */
    #about {
      background-color: var(--cream);
      color: var(--dark);
    }

    .about-hero {
      padding: 160px 5vw 80px;
    }

    .about-content-grid {
      padding: 0 5vw 120px;
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
      gap: 80px;
    }

    .visual-step-line {
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      gap: 20px;
      margin-top: 40px;
    }

    .step-item {
      padding: 24px 30px;
      background: var(--yellow);
      border: 2px solid var(--dark);
      border-radius: 40px;
      font-weight: 800;
      display: flex;
      justify-content: space-between;
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       PAGE 08 — CONTACT
       ========================================================================== */
    #contact {
      background-color: var(--dark);
      color: var(--cream);
      min-height: 100vh;
    }

    .contact-hero {
      padding: 160px 5vw 80px;
    }

    .contact-stage {
      padding: 0 5vw 120px;
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
      gap: 80px;
      align-items: center;
    }

    .contact-form {
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      gap: 24px;
    }

    .c-input {
      width: 100%;
      padding: 20px 24px;
      background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
      border: 2px solid rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.2);
      border-radius: 40px;
      color: var(--cream);
      font-family: inherit;
      font-size: 1rem;
      outline: none;
      transition: border-color 0.3s;
    }

    .c-input:focus {
      border-color: var(--yellow);
    }

    .c-btn {
      padding: 20px 40px;
      background: var(--red);
      color: var(--cream);
      border-radius: 40px;
      font-weight: 800;
      letter-spacing: 0.1em;
      align-self: flex-start;
      transition: all 0.3s ease;
    }

    .c-btn:hover {
      background: var(--yellow);
      color: var(--dark);
    }

    .signal-graphic-circle {
      width: 380px;
      height: 380px;
      border: 2px solid var(--red);
      border-radius: 50%;
      margin: 0 auto;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      position: relative;
      animation: pulseSignal 4s ease-in-out infinite;
    }

    @keyframes pulseSignal {
      0%, 100% { transform: scale(1); border-color: var(--red); }
      50% { transform: scale(1.06); border-color: var(--yellow); }
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       MODAL SYSTEM (PRIVACY / TERMS / COOKIES)
       ========================================================================== */
    .modal-overlay {
      position: fixed;
      inset: 0;
      background: rgba(10, 13, 24, 0.95);
      backdrop-filter: blur(20px);
      z-index: 4000;
      display: none;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      padding: 40px;
      color: var(--cream);
    }

    .modal-overlay.active {
      display: flex;
    }

    .modal-content {
      background: var(--dark);
      border: 2px solid var(--yellow);
      border-radius: 24px;
      max-width: 800px;
      max-height: 80vh;
      overflow-y: auto;
      padding: 60px;
      position: relative;
    }

    .modal-close {
      position: absolute;
      top: 30px;
      right: 30px;
      background: var(--red);
      color: var(--cream);
      border-radius: 50%;
      width: 40px;
      height: 40px;
      font-weight: 800;
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE SYSTEM
       ========================================================================== */
    .global-subscription-block {
      background-color: var(--yellow);
      color: var(--dark);
      padding: 120px 5vw;
      border-top: 2px solid var(--dark);
    }

    .sub-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
      gap: 80px;
    }

    .sub-box {
      display: flex;
      flex-direction: column;
      gap: 20px;
    }

    .sub-input {
      padding: 20px 24px;
      background: rgba(10, 13, 24, 0.05);
      border: 2px solid var(--dark);
      border-radius: 40px;
      font-family: inherit;
      font-size: 1rem;
      color: var(--dark);
      outline: none;
    }

    .sub-btn {
      padding: 20px 36px;
      background: var(--dark);
      color: var(--cream);
      border-radius: 40px;
      font-weight: 800;
      align-self: flex-start;
      transition: all 0.3s ease;
    }

    .sub-btn:hover {
      background: var(--red);
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       GLOBAL FOOTER
       ========================================================================== */
    .global-footer {
      background-color: var(--blue);
      color: var(--cream);
      padding: 120px 5vw 40px;
    }

    .footer-huge-logo {
      font-size: clamp(3.5rem, 11vw, 11rem);
      color: var(--yellow);
      line-height: 0.75;
      margin-bottom: 60px;
    }

    .footer-statement {
      font-size: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 4.5rem);
      max-width: 900px;
      margin-bottom: 80px;
    }

    .footer-columns {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
      gap: 40px;
      border-top: 1px solid rgba(245, 233, 216, 0.2);
      padding-top: 60px;
      margin-bottom: 60px;
    }

    .footer-col h4 {
      color: var(--green);
      font-size: 0.85rem;
      letter-spacing: 0.15em;
      margin-bottom: 24px;
    }

    .footer-col ul {
      list-style: none;
    }

    .footer-col li {
      margin-bottom: 12px;
      font-size: 1.05rem;
      opacity: 0.8;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: opacity 0.2s;
    }

    .footer-col li:hover {
      opacity: 1;
      text-decoration: underline;
    }

    /* ==========================================================================
       RESPONSIVE DESIGN (TABLET & MOBILE)
       ========================================================================== */
    @media (max-width: 1024px) {
      .map-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
      .plaza-words-grid, .culture-feature-grid, .worlds-index-grid, .contact-stage, .sub-grid, .about-content-grid {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      }
      .journal-grid-archive { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .j-c1, .j-c2, .j-c3, .j-c4 { grid-column: span 1; }
      .story-card-layout, .notebook-entry { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .gate-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    }

    @media (max-width: 600px) {
      .map-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .marquee-wrapper { display: none; }
      .city-sign-header { padding: 0 6px 0 14px; }
      .timeline-bar { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .footer-columns { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .map-overlay { padding: 30px 20px; }
    }

    /* SECTION 1: THE GATE */
#home-gate {
  min-height: 100vh;
  padding: 140px 5vw 80px;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: space-between;
  position: relative;
  background-image: url('https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a9/8f/84/a98f841b6a325924ad82d6fd67c55986.jpg');
  background-size: cover;
  background-position: center;
  background-repeat: no-repeat;
}

#home-gate::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  z-index: 1;
}

.gate-grid {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
}