* {
        padding: 0;
        margin: 0;
        box-sizing: border-box;
      }

      body {
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #1a1033, #20153d, #291c52);
      }

      .container {
        height: 100vh;
        display: flex;
        justify-content: center;
        margin-top: 150px;
        font-family: sans-serif;
      }

      ul {
        margin: 0;
        padding: 0;
        display: flex;
      }

      li {
        list-style: none;
      }

      .list-items {
        position: relative;
        display: block;
        padding: 15px 30px;
        text-decoration: none;
        text-transform: uppercase;
        color: #a5c8ff; /* softer text color */
        font-size: 22px;
        font-weight: bold;
        transition: 0.6s;
      }

      .list-items:before {
        content: "";
        position: absolute;
        top: 0;
        left: 0;
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
        opacity: 0;
        transform: scaleY(2);
        transition: 0.6s;
        border-top: 2px solid #8a5cff;
        border-bottom: 2px solid #8a5cff;
      }

      .list-items:hover:before {
        transform: scaleY(1.2);
        opacity: 1;
      }

      .list-items:after {
        content: "";
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #4b2cc2, #8a5cff);
        position: absolute;
        top: 2px;
        left: 0;
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
        transition: 0.6s;
        transform: scale(0);
        z-index: -1;
        box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(138, 92, 255, 0.6);
      }

      .list-items:hover:after {
        transform: scale(1);
      }

      .list-items:hover {
        color: #fff;
        text-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
      }