.hero-slider-soft {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100vw; /* prevent sideways overflow */
    height: 700px;
    min-height: 500px;
    margin-top: 60px;
    overflow: hidden; /* clip anything overflowing */
    background: var(--primary-dark);
}

.hero-slide-soft {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    opacity: 0;
    visibility: hidden;
    transition: opacity 900ms ease-in-out, visibility 900ms;
    z-index: 0;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
}

.hero-slide-soft img {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;  /* extra safety */
    object-fit: cover;
    display: block;
    pointer-events: none;
    user-select: none;
}

.hero-slide-soft.active {
    opacity: 1;
    visibility: visible;
    z-index: 1;
}

.hero-overlay-soft {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    z-index: 2;
    background: linear-gradient(
        180deg,
        rgba(0, 31, 63, 0.55) 0%,
        rgba(0, 13, 26, 0.75) 100%
    );
}

.hero-content-soft {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 50px;
    left: 50%;
    transform: translateX(-50%);
    max-width: 700px;
    width: 90%;
    text-align: center;
    color: #fff;
    padding: 0 1.25rem;
    z-index: 3;
    box-sizing: border-box;
}

.hero-headline-soft {
    font-size: 2rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    text-shadow: 0 3px 15px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7);
    margin-bottom: 1rem;
    line-height: 1.2;
}

.hero-subtext-soft {
    font-size: 1.125rem;
    color: #e0e7ff;
    text-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
}

.hero-indicators-soft {
    position: absolute;
    left: 50%;
    transform: translateX(-50%);
    bottom: 18px;
    display: flex;
    gap: 8px;
    z-index: 5;
}

.hero-indicators-soft button {
    width: 10px;
    height: 10px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    border: none;
    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.45);
    cursor: pointer;
    padding: 0;
}

.hero-indicators-soft button[aria-current="true"] {
    background: var(--accent-color);
    box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(255, 215, 0, 0.4);
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
    .hero-slide-soft,
    .hero-slide-soft.active {
        transition: none !important;
    }
}