:root {
      --gold: #C9A84C;
      --gold-light: #E8C97A;
      --gold-dim: #8A6B2E;
      --black: #060606;
      --deep: #0C0A06;
      --charcoal: #1A1714;
      --smoke: #2A2520;
      --ivory: #F5EFE0;
      --cream: #EDE3CC;
      --text-muted: #9A8E7A;
    }

    *, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }
    html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }

    body {
      background: var(--black);
      color: var(--ivory);
      font-family: 'Crimson Pro', Georgia, serif;
      font-size: 18px;
      line-height: 1.7;
      overflow-x: hidden;
    }

    /* ── STICKY TOP BAR ── */
    .sticky-bar {
      position: fixed;
      top: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
      z-index: 1000;
      background: rgba(6,6,6,0.96);
      border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.25);
      backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
      -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
      padding: 10px 24px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: space-between;
      gap: 12px;
    }

    .sticky-bar .tagline {
      font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;
      font-size: 13px;
      font-weight: 300;
      letter-spacing: 0.15em;
      color: var(--gold);
      text-transform: uppercase;
      flex: 1;
      white-space: nowrap;
      overflow: hidden;
      text-overflow: ellipsis;
    }

    .sticky-bar .btn-bar { display: flex; gap: 8px; flex-shrink: 0; }

    .btn-sticky {
      font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;
      font-size: 11px;
      font-weight: 600;
      letter-spacing: 0.18em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      padding: 6px 18px;
      border-radius: 0;
      border: 1px solid var(--gold-dim);
      color: var(--gold);
      background: transparent;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: all 0.3s;
      text-decoration: none;
    }

    .btn-sticky:hover, .btn-sticky.primary {
      background: var(--gold);
      color: var(--black);
      border-color: var(--gold);
    }

    /* ── HERO ── */
    .hero {
      min-height: 100vh;
      padding-top: 60px;
      position: relative;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      overflow: hidden;
    }

    .hero-bg {
      position: absolute;
      inset: 0;
      background-image: url('https://www.africanamericanunion.com//Front/sovereign_trilogy/images/SOVEREIGN_TRILOGY_CASE_NEW.jpg');
      background-size: cover;
      background-position: center 20%;
      background-repeat: no-repeat;
    }

    .hero-bg::after {
      content: '';
      position: absolute;
      inset: 0;
      background:
        linear-gradient(105deg, rgba(6,6,6,0.92) 0%, rgba(6,6,6,0.75) 45%, rgba(6,6,6,0.35) 100%),
        linear-gradient(to top, rgba(6,6,6,0.85) 0%, transparent 50%);
    }

    /* Grid overlay */
    .hero-bg::before {
      content: '';
      position: absolute;
      inset: 0;
      background:
        repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, transparent, transparent 59px, rgba(201,168,76,0.04) 60px),
        repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, transparent 59px, rgba(201,168,76,0.04) 60px);
      z-index: 1;
    }

    .hero-inner {
      position: relative;
      z-index: 2;
      width: 100%;
      padding: 80px 0 60px;
    }

    .aau-label {
      font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;
      font-size: 11px;
      font-weight: 600;
      letter-spacing: 0.4em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--gold-dim);
      margin-bottom: 28px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      gap: 16px;
    }

    .aau-label::before, .aau-label::after {
      content: '';
      height: 1px;
      width: 40px;
      background: var(--gold-dim);
      display: block;
    }

    .hero h1 {
      font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
      font-size: clamp(64px, 10vw, 140px);
      line-height: 0.9;
      letter-spacing: 0.04em;
      color: var(--ivory);
      margin-bottom: 10px;
      text-shadow: 0 4px 32px rgba(0,0,0,0.6);
    }

    .hero h1 .accent {
      color: var(--gold);
      display: block;
    }

    .hero-sub {
      font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;
      font-size: clamp(16px, 2.5vw, 22px);
      font-weight: 300;
      letter-spacing: 0.12em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--text-muted);
      margin-bottom: 48px;
    }

    .hero-cta { display: flex; gap: 16px; flex-wrap: wrap; }

    .btn-primary-gold {
      font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;
      font-size: 13px;
      font-weight: 600;
      letter-spacing: 0.2em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      padding: 14px 36px;
      background: var(--gold);
      color: var(--black);
      border: 2px solid var(--gold);
      border-radius: 0;
      text-decoration: none;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: all 0.35s;
      display: inline-block;
    }

    .btn-primary-gold:hover {
      background: transparent;
      color: var(--gold);
    }

    .btn-outline-gold {
      font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;
      font-size: 13px;
      font-weight: 600;
      letter-spacing: 0.2em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      padding: 14px 36px;
      background: transparent;
      color: var(--gold);
      border: 2px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.4);
      border-radius: 0;
      text-decoration: none;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: all 0.35s;
      display: inline-block;
    }

    .btn-outline-gold:hover {
      border-color: var(--gold);
      background: rgba(201,168,76,0.08);
      color: var(--gold);
    }

    /* ── BANNER IMAGE SHOWCASE (below hero text, right col) ── */
    .hero-image-frame {
      position: relative;
      display: flex;
      justify-content: center;
      align-items: center;
    }

    .hero-image-frame img {
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 520px;
      height: auto;
      display: block;
      position: relative;
      z-index: 2;
      filter: drop-shadow(0 24px 60px rgba(0,0,0,0.7));
    }

    .hero-image-frame::before {
      content: '';
      position: absolute;
      top: 20px; left: 20px; right: -20px; bottom: -20px;
      border: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.15);
      z-index: 1;
    }

    /* ── SECTION BASE ── */
    section { padding: 100px 0; }

    .section-label {
      font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;
      font-size: 11px;
      font-weight: 600;
      letter-spacing: 0.5em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--gold-dim);
      margin-bottom: 20px;
    }

    .section-rule {
      width: 60px;
      height: 1px;
      background: var(--gold);
      margin-bottom: 32px;
    }

    .section-headline {
      font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
      font-size: clamp(36px, 6vw, 72px);
      letter-spacing: 0.05em;
      color: var(--ivory);
      line-height: 1;
      margin-bottom: 16px;
    }

    .section-headline .gold { color: var(--gold); }

    /* ── HOOK SECTION ── */
    .hook-section {
      background: var(--charcoal);
      position: relative;
      overflow: hidden;
    }

    .hook-section::before {
      content: '"';
      position: absolute;
      top: -40px;
      left: -20px;
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 400px;
      color: rgba(201,168,76,0.04);
      line-height: 1;
      pointer-events: none;
    }

    .hook-quote {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: clamp(22px, 3.5vw, 38px);
      font-weight: 400;
      font-style: italic;
      line-height: 1.5;
      color: var(--ivory);
      position: relative;
      z-index: 1;
    }

    .hook-quote strong {
      font-style: normal;
      color: var(--gold);
    }

    /* ── BOOKS SECTION ── */
    .books-section { background: var(--deep); }

    .book-card {
      background: var(--charcoal);
      border: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.10);
      border-top: 3px solid var(--gold);
      height: 100%;
      transition: all 0.4s;
      position: relative;
      overflow: hidden;
    }

    .book-card::after {
      content: '';
      position: absolute;
      bottom: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
      height: 0;
      background: linear-gradient(to top, rgba(201,168,76,0.05), transparent);
      transition: height 0.4s;
    }

    .book-card:hover {
      border-color: rgba(201,168,76,0.35);
      transform: translateY(-8px);
      box-shadow: 0 24px 60px rgba(0,0,0,0.6);
    }

    .book-card:hover::after { height: 100%; }

    .book-card.vol1 { border-top-color: #4A7FC1; }
    .book-card.vol2 { border-top-color: #C14A4A; }
    .book-card.vol3 { border-top-color: #4AC17F; }

    /* Book cover image */
    .book-cover-wrap {
      position: relative;
      overflow: hidden;
      background: var(--smoke);
      aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
    }

    .book-cover-wrap img {
      width: 100%;
      height: 100%;
      object-fit: cover;
      object-position: center top;
      display: block;
      transition: transform 0.5s ease;
    }

    .book-card:hover .book-cover-wrap img {
      transform: scale(1.05);
    }

    .book-cover-overlay {
      position: absolute;
      inset: 0;
      background: linear-gradient(to top, rgba(26,23,20,0.7) 0%, transparent 60%);
    }

    .book-vol-badge {
      position: absolute;
      top: 14px;
      left: 14px;
      font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;
      font-size: 10px;
      font-weight: 600;
      letter-spacing: 0.3em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--gold);
      background: rgba(6,6,6,0.75);
      padding: 5px 12px;
      backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
    }

    .book-card-body {
      padding: 28px 28px 32px;
      position: relative;
      z-index: 1;
    }

    .book-card h3 {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 22px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: var(--ivory);
      margin-bottom: 14px;
      line-height: 1.2;
    }

    .book-card p {
      font-size: 15.5px;
      line-height: 1.7;
      color: #B8AA98;
      margin-bottom: 24px;
    }

    .btn-read {
      font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;
      font-size: 12px;
      font-weight: 600;
      letter-spacing: 0.25em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: var(--gold);
      text-decoration: none;
      border-bottom: 1px solid var(--gold-dim);
      padding-bottom: 3px;
      transition: all 0.3s;
      display: inline-block;
      position: relative;
      z-index: 1;
    }

    .btn-read:hover {
      color: var(--gold-light);
      border-color: var(--gold);
      letter-spacing: 0.35em;
    }

    /* ── PURPOSE SECTION ── */
    .purpose-section {
      background: var(--smoke);
      position: relative;
    }

    .purpose-section::after {
      content: 'PURPOSE';
      position: absolute;
      right: -20px;
      top: 50%;
      transform: translateY(-50%) rotate(90deg);
      font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
      font-size: 120px;
      color: rgba(201,168,76,0.03);
      pointer-events: none;
      white-space: nowrap;
    }

    .purpose-step {
      display: flex;
      gap: 28px;
      align-items: flex-start;
      margin-bottom: 36px;
      padding-bottom: 36px;
      border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.08);
    }

    .purpose-step:last-child {
      margin-bottom: 0;
      padding-bottom: 0;
      border-bottom: none;
    }

    .step-num {
      font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
      font-size: 56px;
      line-height: 1;
      color: rgba(201,168,76,0.2);
      flex-shrink: 0;
      width: 60px;
    }

    .step-content h4 {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 20px;
      font-weight: 700;
      color: var(--gold);
      margin-bottom: 8px;
    }

    .step-content p {
      font-size: 16px;
      color: #B8AA98;
      line-height: 1.65;
    }

    /* ── FOUNDERS SECTION ── */
    .founders-section {
      background: var(--deep);
      position: relative;
      overflow: hidden;
    }

    .founders-section::before {
      content: '';
      position: absolute;
      top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;
      background: radial-gradient(ellipse 60% 60% at 50% 50%, rgba(201,168,76,0.06) 0%, transparent 70%);
      pointer-events: none;
    }

    .founders-box {
      background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(201,168,76,0.08) 0%, rgba(201,168,76,0.02) 100%);
      border: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.2);
      padding: 64px;
      position: relative;
      z-index: 1;
    }

    .founders-box::before {
      content: '';
      position: absolute;
      top: 12px; left: 12px; right: -12px; bottom: -12px;
      border: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.08);
      pointer-events: none;
    }

    .founders-box h2 {
      font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
      font-size: clamp(36px, 6vw, 72px);
      letter-spacing: 0.05em;
      color: var(--ivory);
      margin-bottom: 24px;
      line-height: 1;
    }

    .founders-box h2 span { color: var(--gold); }

    .benefit-item {
      display: flex;
      align-items: flex-start;
      gap: 16px;
      margin-bottom: 20px;
    }

    .benefit-dot {
      width: 6px;
      height: 6px;
      background: var(--gold);
      border-radius: 50%;
      margin-top: 10px;
      flex-shrink: 0;
    }

    .benefit-item p {
      font-size: 16px;
      color: #C8BAA5;
    }

    .btn-founders {
      font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
      font-size: 20px;
      letter-spacing: 0.15em;
      padding: 20px 56px;
      background: var(--gold);
      color: var(--black);
      border: none;
      border-radius: 0;
      text-decoration: none;
      cursor: pointer;
      transition: all 0.35s;
      display: inline-block;
      margin-top: 32px;
    }

    .btn-founders:hover {
      background: var(--gold-light);
      transform: translateY(-2px);
      box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(201,168,76,0.25);
      color: var(--black);
    }

    /* ── STICKY BOTTOM BAR ── */
    .sticky-bottom {
      position: fixed;
      bottom: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
      z-index: 1000;
      background: rgba(201,168,76,0.97);
      backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
      padding: 14px 24px;
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: space-between;
      gap: 12px;
    }

    .bottom-tagline {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 13px;
      font-style: italic;
      color: var(--black);
      flex: 1;
      white-space: nowrap;
      overflow: hidden;
      text-overflow: ellipsis;
    }

    .bottom-cta { display: flex; gap: 8px; flex-shrink: 0; }

    .btn-bottom {
      font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;
      font-size: 11px;
      font-weight: 600;
      letter-spacing: 0.2em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      padding: 8px 20px;
      border-radius: 0;
      cursor: pointer;
      text-decoration: none;
      transition: all 0.25s;
    }

    .btn-bottom.dark { background: var(--black); color: var(--gold); border: 1px solid var(--black); }
    .btn-bottom.dark:hover { background: var(--charcoal); color: var(--gold); }
    .btn-bottom.outline-dark { background: transparent; color: var(--black); border: 1px solid var(--black); }
    .btn-bottom.outline-dark:hover { background: rgba(0,0,0,0.1); }

    /* ── FOOTER ── */
    footer {
      background: var(--black);
      border-top: 1px solid rgba(201,168,76,0.1);
      padding: 48px 0 120px;
      text-align: center;
    }

    footer .logo {
      font-family: 'Bebas Neue', sans-serif;
      font-size: 28px;
      letter-spacing: 0.2em;
      color: var(--gold);
      margin-bottom: 8px;
    }

    footer p {
      font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif;
      font-size: 13px;
      letter-spacing: 0.2em;
      color: var(--text-muted);
      text-transform: uppercase;
    }

    /* ── DIVIDER ── */
    .ornamental-divider {
      display: flex;
      align-items: center;
      justify-content: center;
      gap: 20px;
      margin: 60px 0;
    }

    .ornamental-divider::before,
    .ornamental-divider::after {
      content: '';
      flex: 1;
      height: 1px;
      background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, rgba(201,168,76,0.3), transparent);
    }

    .ornamental-divider span { font-size: 20px; color: var(--gold-dim); }

    /* ── ANIMATIONS ── */
    @keyframes fadeUp {
      from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(30px); }
      to   { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
    }

    .fade-up { animation: fadeUp 0.9s ease forwards; }
    .delay-1 { animation-delay: 0.15s; opacity: 0; }
    .delay-2 { animation-delay: 0.3s;  opacity: 0; }
    .delay-3 { animation-delay: 0.45s; opacity: 0; }
    .delay-4 { animation-delay: 0.6s;  opacity: 0; }

    /* ── RESPONSIVE ── */
    @media (max-width: 991px) {
      .hero-image-frame { margin-top: 48px; }
      .founders-box { padding: 40px 28px; }
    }

    @media (max-width: 768px) {
      .sticky-bar .tagline { display: none; }
      .bottom-tagline { display: none; }
      .purpose-step { gap: 16px; }
      .book-card-body { padding: 22px 20px 28px; }
    }

    #murl{
      text-decoration: none !important;
      color: #c9a84c;
    }