.loading-dots:after {
    content: '.';
    animation: dots 1s steps(5, end) infinite;
}

@keyframes dots {
    0%, 20% {
        color: rgba(0,0,0,0);
        text-shadow: .25em 0 0 rgba(0,0,0,0), .5em 0 0 rgba(0,0,0,0);
    }

    40% {
        color: var(--black);
        text-shadow: .25em 0 0 rgba(0,0,0,0), .5em 0 0 rgba(0,0,0,0);
    }

    60% {
        text-shadow: .25em 0 0 var(--black), .5em 0 0 rgba(0,0,0,0);
    }

    80%, 100% {
        text-shadow: .25em 0 0 var(--black), .5em 0 0 var(--black);
    }
}