.serial-feature {
  position: relative;
  isolation: isolate;
  min-height: min(780px, 88vh);
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  overflow: hidden;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  background:
    radial-gradient(circle at 78% 28%, rgba(26, 69, 80, .38), transparent 32rem),
    linear-gradient(145deg, var(--void), var(--obsidian) 55%, #180508);
}

.serial-feature-art,
.serial-feature-scrim {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
}

.serial-feature-art {
  z-index: -3;
  background-position: center;
  background-size: cover;
  filter: saturate(.82) contrast(1.08);
  transform: scale(1.02);
}

.serial-feature-scrim {
  z-index: -2;
  background:
    linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0,0,0,.94) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,.82) 45%, rgba(0,0,0,.38) 100%),
    linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(0,0,0,.88), transparent 58%);
}

.serial-feature::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: 1.25rem;
  z-index: -1;
  pointer-events: none;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 212, 0, .28);
  clip-path: polygon(0 0, 38% 0, 41% 8px, 59% 8px, 62% 0, 100% 0, 100% 100%, 62% 100%, 59% calc(100% - 8px), 41% calc(100% - 8px), 38% 100%, 0 100%);
}

.serial-feature-frame {
  width: min(1180px, calc(100% - 4rem));
  padding: clamp(6rem, 12vw, 10rem) clamp(1rem, 4vw, 4rem);
}

.serial-kicker {
  margin: 0 0 1rem;
  color: var(--cyan);
  font: 1.05rem/1.2 VT323, monospace;
  letter-spacing: .16em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.serial-feature h1 {
  max-width: 900px;
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--gold);
  font: clamp(3.4rem, 9vw, 7.5rem)/.88 Forum, serif;
  letter-spacing: .015em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-wrap: balance;
  text-shadow: 0 0 28px rgba(255, 212, 0, .22), 4px 3px 0 rgba(90, 10, 18, .68);
}

.serial-feature-hook {
  max-width: 720px;
  margin-top: 2rem;
  color: var(--bone);
  font-size: clamp(1.2rem, 2.2vw, 1.55rem);
  line-height: 1.55;
}

.serial-feature-hook p { margin: 0 0 .75rem; }

.serial-status {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: .75rem;
  margin: 2rem 0 0;
}

.serial-status div {
  min-width: 9rem;
  padding: .6rem .85rem;
  border-left: 2px solid var(--red);
  background: rgba(5, 4, 3, .72);
}

.serial-status dt {
  color: var(--bone-dim);
  font: .75rem/1.2 VT323, monospace;
  letter-spacing: .12em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.serial-status dd { margin: .2rem 0 0; color: var(--bone); }

.serial-access-note {
  max-width: 700px;
  margin: 1.4rem 0 0;
  padding-left: .9rem;
  border-left: 2px solid var(--cyan);
  color: var(--bone-dim);
}

.serial-cta-row {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: .75rem;
  margin-top: 1.6rem;
}

.serial-primary-cta {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: .75rem;
  padding: .9rem 1.35rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--gold);
  background: var(--gold);
  color: var(--void);
  font: 1.05rem/1 Forum, serif;
  letter-spacing: .08em;
  text-decoration: none;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 rgba(255, 212, 0, 0);
  transition: color .2s ease, background .2s ease, box-shadow .2s ease, transform .2s ease;
}

.serial-secondary-cta {
  background: rgba(5, 4, 3, .8);
  color: var(--gold-bright);
}

.serial-primary-cta:hover,
.serial-primary-cta:focus-visible {
  background: var(--void);
  color: var(--gold-bright);
  box-shadow: 0 0 24px rgba(255, 212, 0, .32);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
}

.serial-doors {
  padding: clamp(4rem, 8vw, 7rem) clamp(1.25rem, 4vw, 3rem);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
  background:
    radial-gradient(circle at 50% 0, rgba(90, 10, 18, .22), transparent 28rem),
    var(--onyx);
}

.serial-doors-heading {
  width: min(1180px, 100%);
  margin: 0 auto 2rem;
}

.serial-doors h2 {
  max-width: 760px;
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--gold);
  font: clamp(2.3rem, 5vw, 4.3rem)/1 Forum, serif;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.serial-door-grid {
  width: min(1180px, 100%);
  margin: 0 auto;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));
  gap: clamp(1rem, 2vw, 1.5rem);
}

.serial-door {
  position: relative;
  min-height: 430px;
  overflow: hidden;
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  background: var(--panel);
}

.serial-door::before,
.serial-door::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  z-index: 3;
  width: 42px;
  height: 42px;
  pointer-events: none;
}

.serial-door::before { top: 10px; left: 10px; border-top: 1px solid var(--gold); border-left: 1px solid var(--gold); }
.serial-door::after { right: 10px; bottom: 10px; border-right: 1px solid var(--red); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--red); }

.serial-door-link { position: absolute; inset: 0; color: var(--bone); text-decoration: none; }
.serial-door-art,
.serial-door-shade { position: absolute; inset: 0; }
.serial-door-art { background-position: center; background-size: cover; transition: transform .55s ease, filter .55s ease; }
.serial-door-shade { background: linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(0,0,0,.98) 4%, rgba(0,0,0,.76) 45%, rgba(0,0,0,.12) 100%); }

.serial-door-copy {
  position: absolute;
  inset: auto 0 0;
  z-index: 2;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: flex-start;
  padding: 2rem;
}

.serial-door-label {
  color: var(--cyan);
  font: .95rem/1 VT323, monospace;
  letter-spacing: .12em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.serial-door-title {
  margin-top: .6rem;
  color: var(--gold-bright);
  font: 2rem/1 Forum, serif;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.serial-door-prompt { margin-top: .8rem; font-size: 1.08rem; line-height: 1.35; }
.serial-door-cta { margin-top: 1.25rem; color: var(--gold); font-family: VT323, monospace; letter-spacing: .08em; text-transform: uppercase; }

.serial-door-link:hover .serial-door-art,
.serial-door-link:focus-visible .serial-door-art { transform: scale(1.055); filter: saturate(1.08) contrast(1.05); }
.serial-door-link:hover .serial-door-cta,
.serial-door-link:focus-visible .serial-door-cta { color: var(--red-bright); }
.serial-door-link:focus-visible { outline: 3px solid var(--gold-bright); outline-offset: -5px; }

.latest-episodes {
  padding: clamp(4rem, 8vw, 7rem) clamp(1.25rem, 4vw, 3rem);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-dim);
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--void), var(--obsidian));
}

/* Keep the former homepage navigation target working after the reader-first
   Latest Episodes section replaced the old web-novels block. */
.section-anchor-alias {
  display: block;
  width: 0;
  height: 0;
  scroll-margin-top: 140px;
}

.latest-episode-grid {
  width: min(1180px, 100%);
  margin: 0 auto;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));
  gap: 1rem;
}

.latest-episode-card {
  min-width: 0;
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-left: 3px solid var(--red);
  background: rgba(20, 17, 12, .86);
}

.latest-episode-card a {
  min-height: 16rem;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  padding: 1.5rem;
  color: var(--bone);
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: border-color .2s ease, background .2s ease, transform .2s ease;
}

.latest-episode-card a:hover,
.latest-episode-card a:focus-visible {
  background: rgba(90, 10, 18, .2);
  transform: translateY(-3px);
  outline: 2px solid var(--gold);
  outline-offset: -2px;
}

.latest-episode-series,
.latest-episode-number {
  font: .9rem/1.2 VT323, monospace;
  letter-spacing: .11em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.latest-episode-series { color: var(--cyan); }
.latest-episode-number { margin-top: 1.25rem; color: var(--bone-dim); }
.latest-episode-title { margin-top: .45rem; color: var(--gold-bright); font: 1.65rem/1.08 Forum, serif; }

.latest-episode-meta {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: .75rem;
  margin-top: auto;
  padding-top: 1.3rem;
  color: var(--bone-dim);
  font-size: .85rem;
}

.latest-episode-cta { margin-top: .7rem; color: var(--gold); font-family: VT323, monospace; letter-spacing: .08em; text-transform: uppercase; }

/* Latest Transmissions: a rack of live serial channels, one newest update each. */
.transmission-guide {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  isolation: isolate;
  background: transparent;
}
.transmission-guide::before {
  content: none;
}
.transmission-guide-header,
.transmission-channel-stack,
.transmission-guide-footer { width: min(1240px, 100%); margin-inline: auto; }
.transmission-guide-header {
  display: flex;
  align-items: end;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 2rem;
  margin-bottom: clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 3rem);
  padding-bottom: 1rem;
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,.45);
}
.transmission-guide-header .section-title {
  position: relative;
  margin: .25rem 0 0;
  color: var(--gold-bright);
  text-shadow: -2px 0 rgba(198,15,22,.55), 2px 0 rgba(0,255,224,.35);
}
.transmission-guide-header .section-title::after {
  content: attr(data-text);
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  clip-path: inset(45% 0 39% 0);
  color: var(--cyan);
  opacity: .35;
  transform: translateX(2px);
  pointer-events: none;
}
.transmission-guide-kicker,
.transmission-guide-header > p,
.transmission-guide-footer {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--bone-dim);
  font: .95rem/1.25 VT323, monospace;
  letter-spacing: .13em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}
.transmission-guide-kicker { color: var(--cyan); }
.transmission-guide-header > p { max-width: 34rem; text-align: right; }
.transmission-channel-stack { display: grid; gap: .55rem; }
.transmission-channel {
  position: relative;
  border: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,.32);
  border-radius: 4px;
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(23,21,16,.96), rgba(6,7,7,.98));
  box-shadow: inset 0 0 24px rgba(0,0,0,.85), 0 6px 18px rgba(0,0,0,.34);
  transition: border-color .2s ease, box-shadow .2s ease, transform .2s ease;
}
.transmission-channel::before,
.transmission-channel::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  width: 5px;
  height: 5px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(239,227,194,.25);
  border-radius: 50%;
  transform: translateY(-50%);
}
.transmission-channel::before { left: .4rem; }
.transmission-channel::after { right: .4rem; }
.transmission-channel[open] {
  border-color: var(--cyan);
  box-shadow: inset 0 0 32px rgba(0,255,224,.055), 0 0 18px rgba(0,255,224,.12);
  transform: scale(1.008);
}
.transmission-channel summary {
  min-height: 72px;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 8px 64px 2.4rem minmax(10rem, 1.05fr) minmax(14rem, 1.55fr) minmax(8rem, .72fr) auto 1rem;
  align-items: center;
  gap: clamp(.55rem, 1.7vw, 1.25rem);
  padding: .55rem 1.2rem .55rem 1.35rem;
  cursor: pointer;
  list-style: none;
}
.transmission-channel summary::-webkit-details-marker { display: none; }
.transmission-channel summary::marker { content: ''; }
.transmission-channel summary:hover { background: rgba(255,212,0,.035); }
.transmission-channel summary:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--gold-bright); outline-offset: -3px; }
.transmission-channel-light {
  width: 7px;
  aspect-ratio: 1;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--red-bright);
  box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(255,24,31,.8);
}
.transmission-channel[open] .transmission-channel-light {
  background: var(--cyan);
  box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(0,255,224,.85);
  animation: transmission-pulse 1.8s ease-in-out infinite;
}
.transmission-channel-cover {
  width: 64px;
  aspect-ratio: 16/9;
  border: 1px solid rgba(239,227,194,.18);
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(198,15,22,.32), rgba(0,255,224,.08));
  background-position: center;
  background-size: cover;
  filter: saturate(.72) contrast(1.08);
}
.transmission-channel-number,
.transmission-channel-episode strong,
.transmission-channel-access,
.transmission-channel time {
  color: var(--bone-dim);
  font: .82rem/1 VT323, monospace;
  letter-spacing: .1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}
.transmission-channel-number { color: var(--red-bright); font-size: 1.05rem; }
.transmission-channel-name {
  color: var(--gold-bright);
  font: 1rem/1 Forum, serif;
  letter-spacing: .11em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}
.transmission-channel-episode { min-width: 0; color: var(--bone); font: 1.08rem/1.1 Cormorant Garamond, serif; }
.transmission-channel-episode strong { display: block; margin-bottom: .28rem; color: var(--cyan); }
.transmission-channel-access { color: var(--bone); }
.transmission-channel time { white-space: nowrap; }
.transmission-channel-caret { color: var(--gold); transition: transform .2s ease; }
.transmission-channel[open] .transmission-channel-caret { transform: rotate(180deg); }
.transmission-channel-panel {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: minmax(180px, .8fr) minmax(12rem, 1fr) auto;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 1.25rem;
  padding: .85rem 1.4rem 1rem 7.4rem;
  border-top: 1px solid rgba(0,255,224,.22);
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0,255,224,.055), transparent 64%);
}
.transmission-channel-panel p { margin: 0; color: var(--bone-dim); font-size: .95rem; }
.transmission-waveform { height: 28px; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 4px; overflow: hidden; }
.transmission-waveform i { width: 2px; height: 30%; background: var(--cyan); box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0,255,224,.6); animation: transmission-wave 1.15s ease-in-out infinite alternate; }
.transmission-waveform i:nth-child(3n) { height: 88%; animation-delay: -.4s; }
.transmission-waveform i:nth-child(2n) { height: 56%; animation-delay: -.7s; }
.transmission-channel-actions { display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; align-items: center; gap: .7rem; }
.transmission-onsite-link,
.transmission-platform-link {
  min-height: 42px;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: .55rem;
  padding: .6rem .85rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--gold);
  color: var(--gold-bright);
  font: .84rem/1 VT323, monospace;
  letter-spacing: .08em;
  text-decoration: none;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}
.transmission-platform-link { width: 46px; padding: .38rem; border-color: var(--cyan); }
.transmission-platform-link img { width: 28px; height: 28px; object-fit: contain; }
.transmission-platform-link span { position: absolute; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); white-space: nowrap; }
.transmission-onsite-link:hover,
.transmission-onsite-link:focus-visible { color: var(--void); background: var(--gold); outline: 2px solid var(--gold-bright); outline-offset: 2px; }
.transmission-platform-link:hover,
.transmission-platform-link:focus-visible { background: rgba(0,255,224,.12); box-shadow: 0 0 16px rgba(0,255,224,.2); outline: 2px solid var(--cyan); outline-offset: 2px; }
.transmission-guide-footer { padding-top: 1rem; text-align: right; color: var(--gold); }

@keyframes transmission-scan { to { background-position: 0 180px; } }
@keyframes transmission-pulse { 50% { opacity: .45; } }
@keyframes transmission-wave { to { transform: scaleY(.28); opacity: .48; } }

@media (max-width: 980px) {
  .transmission-channel summary { grid-template-columns: 8px 52px 2rem minmax(9rem, 1fr) minmax(11rem, 1.2fr) auto 1rem; }
  .transmission-channel-cover { width: 52px; }
  .transmission-channel time { display: none; }
  .transmission-channel-panel { padding-left: 6.2rem; grid-template-columns: minmax(140px, .6fr) 1fr; }
  .transmission-channel-panel p { display: none; }
}

@media (max-width: 720px) {
  .transmission-guide-header { display: block; }
  .transmission-guide-header > p { margin-top: .8rem; text-align: left; }
  .transmission-channel summary { grid-template-columns: 8px 2rem minmax(0, 1fr) 1rem; gap: .55rem; padding: .75rem 1rem; }
  .transmission-channel-cover,
  .transmission-channel-access { display: none; }
  .transmission-channel-name { grid-column: 3; }
  .transmission-channel-episode { grid-column: 3; }
  .transmission-channel-caret { grid-column: 4; grid-row: 1 / span 2; }
  .transmission-channel-panel { grid-template-columns: 1fr auto; padding: .8rem 1rem .95rem 3.55rem; }
  .transmission-channel-actions { grid-column: 1 / -1; justify-content: flex-start; }
  .transmission-waveform { display: none; }
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .transmission-guide::before,
  .transmission-channel[open] .transmission-channel-light,
  .transmission-waveform i { animation: none; }
  .transmission-channel { transition: none; }
}

.chapter-index-destination {
  color: var(--cyan);
  font: .82rem/1 VT323, monospace;
  letter-spacing: .06em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.book-buy-row + .serial-access-note { margin: .85rem 0 1.4rem; }
.book-meta-col .serial-status { margin: 1rem 0 1.4rem; }

/* Start Here reader index: an editorial shelf, not another card directory. */
.reader-index {
  width: min(1180px, 100%);
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: clamp(1rem, 3vw, 2rem) 0 clamp(3rem, 7vw, 6rem);
}

.reader-index-intro {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  max-width: 760px;
  margin: 0 0 clamp(2rem, 5vw, 4rem);
  padding: 0;
  border: 0;
  background: transparent;
  backdrop-filter: none;
}

.reader-index-intro h2,
.reader-index-follow h2 {
  margin: .35rem 0 .75rem;
  color: var(--gold-bright);
  font: clamp(2.1rem, 6vw, 4.7rem)/.94 Forum, serif;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.reader-index-intro > p:last-child {
  max-width: 680px;
  color: var(--bone);
  font-size: clamp(1.08rem, 2vw, 1.3rem);
}

.reader-index-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  gap: clamp(1rem, 2.5vw, 2rem);
}

.reader-index-card {
  position: relative;
  min-height: clamp(19rem, 31vw, 23rem);
  overflow: hidden;
  border-block: 1px solid rgba(255, 212, 0, .34);
  background: var(--panel);
  isolation: isolate;
  animation: ht-reader-border-fault 13s steps(1) infinite;
}

.reader-index-card:first-child { min-height: clamp(25rem, 42vw, 31rem); }

.reader-index-card::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0 auto 0 0;
  width: 3px;
  z-index: 2;
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, transparent, var(--gold), var(--red-deep), transparent);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.reader-index-card::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  z-index: 1;
  pointer-events: none;
  background:
    linear-gradient(180deg, transparent 0%, rgba(0,255,224,.025) 43%, rgba(255,212,0,.1) 50%, rgba(229,9,20,.04) 57%, transparent 100%),
    repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, transparent 0, transparent 3px, rgba(255,212,0,.07) 3px, rgba(255,212,0,.07) 4px);
  background-size: 100% 240%, 100% 4px;
  background-position: 0 -140%, 0 0;
  mix-blend-mode: screen;
  opacity: .5;
  animation: ht-reader-scan 8s linear infinite;
}

.reader-index-card:nth-child(2n)::before { animation-delay: -2.7s; }
.reader-index-card:nth-child(3n)::before { animation-delay: -5.1s; }

.reader-index-art,
.reader-index-scrim {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
}

.reader-index-art {
  z-index: -2;
  background-position: center 22%;
  background-size: cover;
  filter: saturate(.78) contrast(1.08);
  transform: scale(1.01);
  transition: transform .35s ease, filter .35s ease;
}

.reader-index-card:first-child .reader-index-art {
  animation: ht-reader-image-breathe 16s ease-in-out infinite alternate, ht-reader-image-fault 13s steps(1) infinite;
}

.reader-index-scrim {
  z-index: -1;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0,0,0,.97) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,.86) 42%, rgba(0,0,0,.34) 69%, rgba(0,0,0,.08));
}

.reader-index-card:nth-child(even) .reader-index-scrim {
  background: linear-gradient(270deg, rgba(0,0,0,.97) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,.86) 42%, rgba(0,0,0,.34) 69%, rgba(0,0,0,.08));
}

.reader-index-card:hover .reader-index-art,
.reader-index-card:focus-within .reader-index-art {
  animation: glitch-tear .48s linear 1;
  transform: scale(1.045);
  filter: saturate(.92) contrast(1.1);
}

.reader-index-copy {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 3;
  min-height: inherit;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  width: min(62%, 45rem);
  justify-content: center;
  padding: clamp(2rem, 4vw, 3.4rem);
}

.reader-index-card:nth-child(even) .reader-index-copy { margin-left: auto; }
.reader-index-card:first-child .reader-index-copy { padding: clamp(2.25rem, 5vw, 4.25rem); }

.reader-index-lane,
.reader-index-schedule {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--cyan);
  font: .9rem/1.25 VT323, monospace;
  letter-spacing: .1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.reader-index-copy h3 {
  position: relative;
  display: table;
  margin: .6rem 0 .85rem;
  color: var(--gold-bright);
  font: clamp(2.1rem, 4.4vw, 3.65rem)/.96 Forum, serif;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.reader-index-copy h3::before,
.reader-index-copy h3::after {
  content: attr(data-text);
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  opacity: 0;
  mix-blend-mode: screen;
}

.reader-index-copy h3::before {
  color: var(--red);
  animation: ht-reader-title-red 9s steps(1) infinite;
}

.reader-index-copy h3::after {
  color: var(--cyan);
  animation: ht-reader-title-cyan 9s steps(1) infinite;
}

.reader-index-card:nth-child(2n) h3::before,
.reader-index-card:nth-child(2n) h3::after { animation-delay: -3.1s; }
.reader-index-card:nth-child(3n) h3::before,
.reader-index-card:nth-child(3n) h3::after { animation-delay: -6.2s; }

.reader-index-card:first-child .reader-index-copy h3 {
  font-size: clamp(2.7rem, 6.5vw, 5.4rem);
}

.reader-index-hook { max-width: 38rem; font-size: 1.08rem; line-height: 1.45; }
.reader-index-hook p { margin: 0; }
.reader-index-schedule { margin-top: .85rem; color: var(--bone-dim); }

.reader-index-actions {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: .7rem 1.1rem;
  margin-top: 1.4rem;
}

.reader-index-actions a,
.reader-index-follow > a {
  min-height: 44px;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  color: var(--gold);
  font: 1rem/1 VT323, monospace;
  letter-spacing: .08em;
  text-decoration: none;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.reader-index-actions .reader-index-primary,
.reader-index-follow > a {
  justify-content: center;
  padding: .8rem 1rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--gold);
  background: rgba(0,0,0,.45);
}

.reader-index-actions a:hover,
.reader-index-actions a:focus-visible,
.reader-index-follow > a:hover,
.reader-index-follow > a:focus-visible { color: var(--void); background: var(--gold); outline: 2px solid var(--gold-bright); outline-offset: 3px; animation: glitch-shift-fast .35s linear 1; }

.reader-index-follow {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  margin-top: 1.25rem;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 2rem;
  padding: clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 3rem);
  border: 1px solid rgba(0,255,224,.4);
  background: linear-gradient(120deg, rgba(0,255,224,.08), rgba(90,10,18,.18));
}

.reader-index-follow::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: -60% 0 auto;
  height: 45%;
  pointer-events: none;
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, transparent, rgba(0,255,224,.08), rgba(255,212,0,.12), transparent);
  mix-blend-mode: screen;
  animation: ht-reader-follow-sweep 9s linear infinite;
}

.reader-index-follow > * { position: relative; z-index: 1; }

.reader-index-follow h2 { max-width: 650px; margin-bottom: 0; font-size: clamp(1.8rem, 4vw, 3.4rem); }

/* The last page of an episode should still have a door instead of a wall. */
.chapter-return-path {
  width: min(900px, calc(100% - 3rem));
  margin: 0 auto 4rem;
  padding: clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 2.5rem);
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-left: 3px solid var(--cyan);
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(0,255,224,.06), rgba(90,10,18,.18));
}

.chapter-return-path h2 { margin: .35rem 0 .7rem; color: var(--gold-bright); font: clamp(1.8rem, 4vw, 2.8rem)/1 Forum, serif; text-transform: uppercase; }
.chapter-return-path > p { max-width: 620px; margin: 0; }
.chapter-return-actions { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: .75rem; margin-top: 1.35rem; }
.chapter-return-actions a { min-height: 44px; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; padding: .75rem 1rem; border: 1px solid var(--border); color: var(--gold); font: 1rem/1 VT323, monospace; letter-spacing: .07em; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase; }
.chapter-return-actions a:first-child { border-color: var(--gold); background: rgba(255,212,0,.06); }
.chapter-return-actions a:hover, .chapter-return-actions a:focus-visible { color: var(--void); background: var(--gold); outline: 2px solid var(--gold-bright); outline-offset: 3px; }

@media (max-width: 860px) {
  .serial-feature { min-height: 700px; }
  .serial-feature-scrim { background: linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(0,0,0,.98), rgba(0,0,0,.62) 74%, rgba(0,0,0,.35)); }
  .serial-feature-frame { width: min(100% - 2rem, 720px); padding: 8rem 1rem 5rem; align-self: end; }
  .serial-door-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .latest-episode-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); }
  .serial-door { min-height: 360px; }
  .reader-index-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .reader-index-copy { width: min(72%, 38rem); }
}

@media (max-width: 520px) {
  .serial-feature::after { inset: .65rem; }
  .serial-feature-frame { width: calc(100% - 1.25rem); }
  .serial-feature h1 { font-size: clamp(2.8rem, 17vw, 4.6rem); }
  .serial-status { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
  .serial-status div { min-width: 0; }
  .serial-cta-row { display: grid; }
  .serial-primary-cta { width: 100%; justify-content: center; text-align: center; }
  .serial-doors { padding-inline: .85rem; }
  .latest-episode-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .reader-index-follow { align-items: flex-start; flex-direction: column; }
  .reader-index-follow > a { width: 100%; }
  .reader-index-card,
  .reader-index-card:first-child { min-height: 30rem; }
  .reader-index-scrim,
  .reader-index-card:nth-child(even) .reader-index-scrim { background: linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(0,0,0,.98) 4%, rgba(0,0,0,.82) 62%, rgba(0,0,0,.2)); }
  .reader-index-copy,
  .reader-index-card:first-child .reader-index-copy { width: auto; margin-left: 0; justify-content: flex-end; padding: 2rem 1.5rem; }
  .reader-index-card:first-child .reader-index-copy h3 { font-size: clamp(2.4rem, 15vw, 4rem); }
  .chapter-return-path { width: calc(100% - 2rem); }
  .chapter-return-actions { display: grid; }
  .chapter-return-actions a { justify-content: center; text-align: center; }
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .serial-primary-cta,
  .serial-door-art,
  .latest-episode-card a { transition: none; }
  .serial-primary-cta:hover,
  .serial-primary-cta:focus-visible { transform: none; }
  .serial-door-link:hover .serial-door-art,
  .serial-door-link:focus-visible .serial-door-art { transform: none; }
  .reader-index-card,
  .reader-index-card::before,
  .reader-index-card:first-child .reader-index-art,
  .reader-index-copy h3::before,
  .reader-index-copy h3::after,
  .reader-index-follow::before { animation: none; }
  .reader-index-copy h3::before,
  .reader-index-copy h3::after { content: none; }
  .reader-index-art { transition: none; }
  .reader-index-card:hover .reader-index-art,
  .reader-index-card:focus-within .reader-index-art { animation: none; transform: none; }
}

@keyframes ht-reader-scan {
  0% { background-position: 0 -140%, 0 0; }
  100% { background-position: 0 140%, 0 4px; }
}

@keyframes ht-reader-image-breathe {
  0% { transform: scale(1.01) translate3d(0, 0, 0); }
  100% { transform: scale(1.055) translate3d(-.7%, -.45%, 0); }
}

@keyframes ht-reader-image-fault {
  0%, 91%, 95%, 100% { filter: saturate(.78) contrast(1.08); clip-path: inset(0); }
  92% { filter: saturate(1.55) contrast(1.25) hue-rotate(-22deg); clip-path: inset(17% 0 56% 0); }
  93% { filter: saturate(.5) contrast(1.35) hue-rotate(135deg); clip-path: inset(61% 0 16% 0); }
  94% { filter: saturate(.78) contrast(1.08); clip-path: inset(0); }
}

@keyframes ht-reader-title-red {
  0%, 80%, 86%, 100% { opacity: 0; clip-path: inset(0); transform: translate(0); }
  81% { opacity: .74; clip-path: inset(8% 0 68% 0); transform: translate(-5px, 1px); }
  82% { opacity: .52; clip-path: inset(58% 0 18% 0); transform: translate(4px, -1px); }
  83% { opacity: 0; }
  84% { opacity: .6; clip-path: inset(36% 0 42% 0); transform: translate(-3px, 0); }
  85% { opacity: 0; }
}

@keyframes ht-reader-title-cyan {
  0%, 80%, 86%, 100% { opacity: 0; clip-path: inset(0); transform: translate(0); }
  81% { opacity: .62; clip-path: inset(54% 0 22% 0); transform: translate(5px, -1px); }
  82% { opacity: .48; clip-path: inset(12% 0 66% 0); transform: translate(-4px, 1px); }
  83% { opacity: 0; }
  84% { opacity: .58; clip-path: inset(70% 0 9% 0); transform: translate(3px, 0); }
  85% { opacity: 0; }
}

@keyframes ht-reader-border-fault {
  0%, 88%, 92%, 100% { border-color: rgba(255,212,0,.34); box-shadow: none; }
  89% { border-color: rgba(0,255,224,.6); box-shadow: -4px 0 0 rgba(229,9,20,.2); }
  90% { border-color: rgba(229,9,20,.56); box-shadow: 4px 0 0 rgba(0,255,224,.18); }
  91% { border-color: rgba(255,212,0,.34); box-shadow: none; }
}

@keyframes ht-reader-follow-sweep {
  0% { transform: translateY(-30%); }
  100% { transform: translateY(480%); }
}

/* ============================================================
   FLAGSHIP SERIAL LANDING — one story, every useful next step
   ============================================================ */
.flagship-serial {
  width: min(1180px, calc(100% - 2rem));
  margin: clamp(1rem, 4vw, 3rem) auto 6rem;
  color: var(--bone);
}

.flagship-hero {
  position: relative;
  min-height: min(780px, 88vh);
  display: grid;
  align-items: end;
  overflow: hidden;
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  background: var(--void);
  isolation: isolate;
}

.flagship-hero::before,
.flagship-hero::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  z-index: 2;
  pointer-events: none;
}

.flagship-hero::before { inset: 1rem; border: 1px solid rgba(255,212,0,.3); }
.flagship-hero::after { width: 7rem; height: 7rem; top: 0; right: 0; border-top: 2px solid var(--gold); border-right: 2px solid var(--gold); }
.flagship-hero-art { position: absolute; inset: 0; z-index: -2; background-position: center 20%; background-size: cover; filter: saturate(.8) contrast(1.08); }
.flagship-hero-art { animation: ht-reader-image-breathe 19s ease-in-out infinite alternate, ht-reader-image-fault 15s steps(1) infinite; }
.flagship-hero-scrim { position: absolute; inset: 0; z-index: -1; background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0,0,0,.97) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,.79) 48%, rgba(0,0,0,.2) 100%), linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(0,0,0,.88), transparent 55%); }
.flagship-hero-scrim::after { content: ''; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none; background: repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, transparent 0, transparent 3px, rgba(255,212,0,.075) 3px, rgba(255,212,0,.075) 4px); mix-blend-mode: screen; animation: scanline-drift 8s linear infinite; }
.flagship-hero-copy { width: min(720px, 88%); padding: clamp(5rem, 10vw, 9rem) clamp(2rem, 7vw, 6rem); }
.flagship-hero h1 { position: relative; display: table; margin: .4rem 0 1.4rem; color: var(--gold-bright); font: clamp(3.7rem, 10vw, 8.8rem)/.82 Forum, serif; letter-spacing: -.035em; text-transform: uppercase; text-wrap: balance; }
.flagship-hero h1::before, .flagship-hero h1::after { content: attr(data-text); position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none; opacity: 0; mix-blend-mode: screen; }
.flagship-hero h1::before { color: var(--red); animation: ht-reader-title-red 8.4s steps(1) infinite; }
.flagship-hero h1::after { color: var(--cyan); animation: ht-reader-title-cyan 8.4s steps(1) infinite; }
.flagship-hook { max-width: 43rem; font-size: clamp(1.2rem, 2.2vw, 1.55rem); line-height: 1.45; }
.flagship-hook p { margin: 0; }
.flagship-schedule { margin: 1.15rem 0 0; color: var(--cyan); font: 1.05rem/1.2 VT323, monospace; letter-spacing: .1em; text-transform: uppercase; }
.flagship-access { max-width: 46rem; margin: .55rem 0 0; color: var(--bone-dim); }

.flagship-actions { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: .75rem; margin-top: 1.7rem; }
.flagship-button { min-height: 48px; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; padding: .85rem 1.15rem; border: 1px solid var(--gold); color: var(--gold-bright); background: rgba(0,0,0,.64); font: 1rem/1 VT323, monospace; letter-spacing: .075em; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase; transition: color .2s ease, background .2s ease, transform .2s ease; }
.flagship-button-primary { color: var(--void); background: var(--gold); }
.flagship-button:hover, .flagship-button:focus-visible { color: var(--void); background: var(--gold-bright); outline: 2px solid var(--cyan); outline-offset: 3px; transform: translateY(-2px); }

.flagship-orient,
.flagship-continuity,
.flagship-next-read { margin-top: 1.25rem; padding: clamp(2rem, 6vw, 5rem); border: 1px solid var(--border); background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(255,212,0,.045), rgba(90,10,18,.2)); }
.flagship-orient { display: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1.2fr) minmax(260px, .8fr); align-items: end; gap: clamp(2rem, 7vw, 6rem); }
.flagship-orient h2, .flagship-continuity h2, .flagship-next-read h2 { margin: .45rem 0 0; color: var(--gold-bright); font: clamp(2.4rem, 6vw, 5.4rem)/.93 Forum, serif; text-transform: uppercase; text-wrap: balance; }
.flagship-orient > p, .flagship-continuity p, .flagship-next-read p { margin-bottom: 0; font-size: 1.12rem; line-height: 1.55; }

.flagship-episodes { position: relative; overflow: hidden; margin-top: 1.25rem; padding: clamp(2rem, 6vw, 5rem); border: 1px solid rgba(0,255,224,.35); background: rgba(0,0,0,.62); }
.flagship-episodes::before { content: ''; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none; background: repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, transparent 0, transparent 3px, rgba(0,255,224,.035) 3px, rgba(0,255,224,.035) 4px); animation: scanline-drift-slow 14s linear infinite; }
.flagship-episodes > * { position: relative; z-index: 1; }
.flagship-episodes h2 { margin: .4rem 0 2rem; color: var(--gold-bright); font: clamp(3rem, 8vw, 7rem)/.85 Forum, serif; text-transform: uppercase; }
.flagship-episode-list { margin: 0; padding: 0; list-style: none; border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.13); }
.flagship-episode-list li { border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.13); }
.flagship-episode-list li.is-latest { border-left: 3px solid var(--cyan); background: rgba(0,255,224,.045); }
.flagship-episode-list a { min-height: 92px; display: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(7rem, .42fr) minmax(12rem, 1fr) minmax(12rem, .7fr); align-items: center; gap: 1rem; padding: 1.2rem clamp(1rem, 3vw, 2rem); color: var(--bone); text-decoration: none; transition: color .18s ease, background .18s ease; }
.flagship-episode-list a:hover, .flagship-episode-list a:focus-visible { color: var(--gold-bright); background: rgba(255,212,0,.065); outline: 2px solid var(--gold); outline-offset: -2px; }
.flagship-episode-list a:hover .flagship-episode-title, .flagship-episode-list a:focus-visible .flagship-episode-title { text-shadow: -2px 0 var(--red), 2px 0 var(--cyan); animation: glitch-shift-fast .38s linear 1; }
.flagship-episode-number { color: var(--cyan); font: 1rem/1 VT323, monospace; letter-spacing: .08em; text-transform: uppercase; }
.flagship-episode-title { color: inherit; font: clamp(1.45rem, 3vw, 2.2rem)/1 Forum, serif; }
.flagship-episode-meta { display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: .4rem 1rem; color: var(--bone-dim); font: .9rem/1.2 VT323, monospace; letter-spacing: .06em; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: right; }
.flagship-episode-meta span:first-child { color: var(--gold); }

.flagship-continuity { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: 2.5rem; border-color: rgba(0,255,224,.42); background: linear-gradient(120deg, rgba(0,255,224,.07), rgba(90,10,18,.18)); }
.flagship-continuity > div { max-width: 760px; }
.flagship-continuity .flagship-button { flex: 0 0 auto; }
.flagship-next-read { position: relative; overflow: hidden; border-left: 3px solid var(--gold); }
.flagship-next-read::after { content: '11'; position: absolute; right: clamp(1rem, 5vw, 4rem); bottom: -2.6rem; color: rgba(255,212,0,.055); font: 13rem/1 Forum, serif; pointer-events: none; }
.flagship-next-read > * { position: relative; z-index: 1; }

@media (max-width: 760px) {
  .flagship-serial { width: calc(100% - 1rem); }
  .flagship-hero { min-height: 720px; }
  .flagship-hero-scrim { background: linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(0,0,0,.98), rgba(0,0,0,.6) 74%, rgba(0,0,0,.3)); }
  .flagship-hero-copy { width: 100%; padding: 7rem 1.5rem 4rem; }
  .flagship-orient { grid-template-columns: 1fr; align-items: start; }
  .flagship-continuity { align-items: flex-start; flex-direction: column; }
  .flagship-continuity .flagship-button { width: 100%; }
  .flagship-episode-list a { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: .45rem; }
  .flagship-episode-meta { justify-content: flex-start; text-align: left; }
}

@media (max-width: 520px) {
  .flagship-actions { display: grid; }
  .flagship-button { width: 100%; text-align: center; }
  .flagship-hero h1 { font-size: clamp(3.3rem, 19vw, 5.2rem); }
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .flagship-hero-art,
  .flagship-hero-scrim::after,
  .flagship-hero h1::before,
  .flagship-hero h1::after,
  .flagship-episodes::before,
  .flagship-episode-list a:hover .flagship-episode-title,
  .flagship-episode-list a:focus-visible .flagship-episode-title { animation: none; }
  .flagship-hero h1::before,
  .flagship-hero h1::after { content: none; }
  .flagship-button { transition: none; }
  .flagship-button:hover, .flagship-button:focus-visible { transform: none; }
}