section {
    padding: 100px 24px;
    position: relative;
}

.sec-alt {
    background: var(--bg-section);
}

.kicker {
    font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 600;
    font-size: 12.5px;
    letter-spacing: 0.15em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--plum);
    margin-bottom: 16px;
}

.kicker::before {
    content: '';
    display: inline-block;
    width: 20px;
    height: 2px;
    background: var(--gold);
    margin-right: 9px;
    vertical-align: middle;
}

/* ============ WHY WE EXIST (split) ============ */
.why-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 0.9fr 1.1fr;
    gap: 70px;
    align-items: center;
    max-width: 1180px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.why-timeline {
    position: relative;
    padding-left: 34px;
}

.why-timeline::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    left: 9px;
    top: 6px;
    bottom: 6px;
    width: 2px;
    background: var(--hairline);
}

.why-step {
    position: relative;
    padding-bottom: 38px;
}

.why-step:last-child {
    padding-bottom: 0;
}

.why-step::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    left: -34px;
    top: 2px;
    width: 20px;
    height: 20px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background: #fff;
    border: 2px solid var(--hairline);
}

.why-step.final::before {
    background: var(--gold);
    border-color: var(--gold);
}

.why-step h4 {
    font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
    font-size: 15px;
    color: var(--plum-deep);
}

.why-step.final h4 {
    color: var(--plum);
    font-size: 17px;
}

.why-right h2 {
    font-size: clamp(26px, 3.6vw, 38px);
    line-height: 1.12;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
}

.why-right p {
    font-size: 15.5px;
    color: var(--ink-soft);
    margin-bottom: 14px;
    max-width: 480px;
}

@media (max-width:900px) {
    .why-grid {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    }
}


.sec-head {
    max-width: 640px;
    margin: 0 auto 56px;
    text-align: center;
}

.sec-head h2 {
    font-size: clamp(26px, 3.4vw, 40px);
    line-height: 1.15;
    margin-bottom: 14px;
}

.sec-head p {
    font-size: 16px;
    color: var(--ink-soft);
}

/* ============ VX ENGINE ECOSYSTEM ============ */
.eco-shell {
    max-width: 820px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.eco-wrap {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 620px;
    aspect-ratio: 1/1;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.eco-svg {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
}

.eco-svg .edge {
    fill: none;
    stroke: var(--plum);
    stroke-opacity: 0.18;
    stroke-width: 1.4;
    transition: stroke-opacity .4s ease, stroke-width .4s ease;
}

.eco-svg .edge.active {
    stroke: var(--gold);
    stroke-opacity: 0.9;
    stroke-width: 2.2;
}

.eco-svg .spoke {
    fill: none;
    stroke: var(--plum);
    stroke-opacity: 0.06;
    stroke-width: 1;
}

.eco-hub {
    position: absolute;
    left: 50%;
    top: 50%;
    transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
    z-index: 5;
    width: 90px;
    height: 90px;
    border-radius: 24px;
    background: linear-gradient(155deg, var(--plum-deep), var(--plum));
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    box-shadow: 0 0 0 7px rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.08), 0 24px 46px -16px rgba(48, 16, 32, 0.55);
}

.eco-hub::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    border-radius: 24px;
    border: 1.5px solid rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.35);
    animation: ring 3s ease-out infinite;
}

@keyframes ring {
    0% {
        transform: scale(1);
        opacity: .9;
    }

    100% {
        transform: scale(1.6);
        opacity: 0;
    }
}

.eco-hub span {
    font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 800;
    font-size: 24px;
    color: var(--gold);
}

.eco-node {
    position: absolute;
    transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
    width: 118px;
    background: #fff;
    border: 1px solid var(--hairline);
    border-radius: 14px;
    padding: 12px 10px;
    text-align: center;
    box-shadow: 0 12px 26px -18px rgba(66, 22, 47, 0.3);
    z-index: 3;
    cursor: default;
    transition: box-shadow .3s ease, border-color .3s ease;
}

.eco-node.active {
    border-color: rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.55);
    box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.18);
}

.eco-node h4 {
    font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
    font-size: 11.5px;
    color: var(--plum-deep);
    line-height: 1.25;
}

.eco-node-info {
    max-height: 0;
    opacity: 0;
    overflow: hidden;
    transition: max-height .35s ease, opacity .3s ease, margin-top .3s ease;
    font-size: 10px;
    color: var(--ink-soft);
}

.eco-node:hover .eco-node-info {
    max-height: 70px;
    opacity: 1;
    margin-top: 6px;
}

.eco-node:hover {
    z-index: 6;
}

.eco-pulse {
    position: absolute;
    width: 10px;
    height: 10px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    left: 50%;
    top: 50%;
    transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
    background: radial-gradient(circle, #fff, var(--gold) 60%);
    box-shadow: 0 0 14px 4px rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.75);
    opacity: 0;
    z-index: 4;
    pointer-events: none;
    transition: left 1s linear, top 1s linear;
}

@media (max-width:760px) {
    .eco-wrap {
        display: none;
    }

    .eco-mobile {
        display: flex !important;
    }
}

.eco-mobile {
    display: none;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
    gap: 10px;
    justify-content: center;
    max-width: 600px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.eco-mobile .chip {
    background: #fff;
    border: 1px solid var(--hairline);
    border-radius: 100px;
    padding: 9px 16px;
    font-size: 12.5px;
    font-weight: 600;
    color: var(--plum-deep);
}

.sec-cta {
    text-align: center;
    margin-top: 44px;
}


/* ============ CAROUSELS ============ */
.carousel-outer {
    position: relative;
    max-width: 1180px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.carousel {
    display: flex;
    gap: 20px;
    overflow-x: auto;
    scroll-snap-type: x mandatory;
    padding: 8px 24px 20px;
    scrollbar-width: none;
}

.carousel::-webkit-scrollbar {
    display: none;
}

.carousel-card {
    scroll-snap-align: start;
    flex: 0 0 auto;
    width: 280px;
    background: #fff;
    border: 1px solid var(--hairline);
    border-radius: 20px;
    padding: 26px 24px;
    box-shadow: 0 14px 34px -24px rgba(66, 22, 47, 0.25);
    transition: transform .3s cubic-bezier(.19, 1, .22, 1), box-shadow .3s ease;
}

.carousel-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-6px);
    box-shadow: 0 22px 44px -20px rgba(66, 22, 47, 0.35);
}

.carousel-icon {
    width: 48px;
    height: 48px;
    border-radius: 14px;
    background: rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.16);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
    transition: transform .35s ease;
}

.carousel-card:hover .carousel-icon {
    transform: rotate(-6deg) scale(1.06);
}

.carousel-card h3 {
    font-size: 16px;
    margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.carousel-card p {
    font-size: 13.5px;
    color: var(--ink-soft);
}

.carousel-nav {
    display: flex;
    gap: 10px;
    justify-content: center;
    margin-top: 8px;
}

.carousel-btn {
    width: 38px;
    height: 38px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    border: 1px solid var(--hairline);
    background: #fff;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: background .2s ease;
}

.carousel-btn:hover {
    background: var(--bg-section);
}

/* ============ INTELLIGENCE CARDS ============ */
.intel-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 22px;
    max-width: 1180px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.intel-card {
    background: #fff;
    border: 1px solid var(--hairline);
    border-radius: 20px;
    padding: 26px 24px;
    box-shadow: 0 14px 34px -24px rgba(66, 22, 47, 0.25);
    transition: transform .3s ease, box-shadow .3s ease;
    cursor: default;
}

.intel-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-6px);
    box-shadow: 0 22px 44px -20px rgba(66, 22, 47, 0.35);
}

.intel-icon {
    width: 48px;
    height: 48px;
    border-radius: 14px;
    background: rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.16);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
}

.intel-card h3 {
    font-size: 16px;
    margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.intel-card p.intel-desc {
    font-size: 13.5px;
    color: var(--ink-soft);
}

.intel-extra {
    max-height: 0;
    opacity: 0;
    overflow: hidden;
    transition: max-height .4s cubic-bezier(.19, 1, .22, 1), opacity .3s ease, margin-top .3s ease;
}

.intel-card:hover .intel-extra {
    max-height: 100px;
    opacity: 1;
    margin-top: 12px;
}

.intel-outcome {
    display: inline-block;
    font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
    font-size: 11px;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--plum);
    background: rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.2);
    padding: 6px 12px;
    border-radius: 100px;
}

@media (max-width:900px) {
    .intel-grid {
        grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
    }
}

@media (max-width:560px) {
    .intel-grid {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    }
}

/* ============ INTELLIGENCE CARDS ============ */
.intel-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 22px;
    max-width: 1180px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.intel-card {
    background: #fff;
    border: 1px solid var(--hairline);
    border-radius: 20px;
    padding: 26px 24px;
    box-shadow: 0 14px 34px -24px rgba(66, 22, 47, 0.25);
    transition: transform .3s ease, box-shadow .3s ease;
    cursor: default;
}

.intel-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-6px);
    box-shadow: 0 22px 44px -20px rgba(66, 22, 47, 0.35);
}

.intel-icon {
    width: 48px;
    height: 48px;
    border-radius: 14px;
    background: rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.16);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
}

.intel-card h3 {
    font-size: 16px;
    margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.intel-card p.intel-desc {
    font-size: 13.5px;
    color: var(--ink-soft);
}

.intel-extra {
    max-height: 0;
    opacity: 0;
    overflow: hidden;
    transition: max-height .4s cubic-bezier(.19, 1, .22, 1), opacity .3s ease, margin-top .3s ease;
}

.intel-card:hover .intel-extra {
    max-height: 100px;
    opacity: 1;
    margin-top: 12px;
}

.intel-outcome {
    display: inline-block;
    font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
    font-size: 11px;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--plum);
    background: rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.2);
    padding: 6px 12px;
    border-radius: 100px;
}

@media (max-width:900px) {
    .intel-grid {
        grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
    }
}

@media (max-width:560px) {
    .intel-grid {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    }
}

/* ============ GROWTH STORIES DASHBOARD ============ */
.growth-dash-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
    gap: 20px;
    max-width: 1180px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.growth-dash-card {
    background: #fff;
    border: 1px solid var(--hairline);
    border-radius: 20px;
    padding: 28px 22px;
    text-align: center;
    box-shadow: 0 14px 34px -24px rgba(66, 22, 47, 0.25);
}

.growth-industry {
    font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
    font-size: 12.5px;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.06em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--plum);
    margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.growth-num {
    font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 800;
    font-size: clamp(32px, 4.4vw, 42px);
    color: var(--plum-deep);
}

.growth-label {
    font-size: 12.5px;
    color: var(--ink-soft);
    font-weight: 600;
    margin-top: 6px;
}

@media (max-width:900px) {
    .growth-dash-grid {
        grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
    }
}

@media (max-width:560px) {
    .growth-dash-grid {
        grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    }
}

.kicker {
    font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 600;
    font-size: 12.5px;
    letter-spacing: 0.15em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--bg);
    margin-bottom: 16px;
}

.kicker::before {
    content: '';
    display: inline-block;
    width: 20px;
    height: 2px;
    background: var(--gold);
    margin-right: 9px;
    vertical-align: middle;
}

.hero-stub p.support {
    max-width: 620px;
    height: auto;
    margin: 24px auto 0;
    font-size: 16.5px;
    color: var(--bg-section);
}

.hero-ctas {
    display: flex;
    gap: 16px;
    justify-content: center;
    margin-top: 34px;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
}

/* hero growth engine track */
.growth-track {
    max-width: 1080px;
    margin: 80px auto 0;
    position: relative;
}

.growth-line-wrap {
    position: relative;
    height: 4px;
    margin: 0 10px 28px;
}

.growth-line {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: var(--footer-hairline);
    border-radius: 4px;
}

.growth-pulse {
    position: absolute;
    top: 50%;
    width: 14px;
    height: 14px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
    background: radial-gradient(circle, #fff, var(--gold) 60%);
    box-shadow: 0 0 20px 5px rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.7);
    animation: growthMove 9s linear infinite;
}

@keyframes growthMove {
    0% {
        left: 0%;
        opacity: 0;
    }

    4% {
        opacity: 1;
    }

    96% {
        opacity: 1;
    }

    100% {
        left: 100%;
        opacity: 0;
    }
}

.growth-nodes {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    gap: 6px;
}

.growth-node {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    flex: 1;
    min-width: 0;
}

.growth-dot {
    width: 11px;
    height: 11px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background: var(--footer-hairline);
    opacity: 0.3;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
    animation: nodeGlow 9s linear infinite;
}

@keyframes nodeGlow {

    0%,
    6%,
    100% {
        opacity: 0.3;
        background: var(--plum);
        box-shadow: none;
    }

    3% {
        opacity: 1;
        background: var(--gold);
        box-shadow: 0 0 12px 3px rgba(245, 200, 76, 0.6);
    }
}

.growth-node span {
    font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
    font-size: 10.5px;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--bg);
    text-align: center;
}

@media (max-width:900px) {
    .growth-track {
        overflow-x: auto;
    }

    .growth-nodes {
        min-width: 900px;
    }

    .growth-line-wrap {
        min-width: 900px;
    }
}