Having a goal more connected to your own personal experiences is important as opposed to blindly following in someone else's footsteps. Willow is devoted to protecting the forest, which requires strength gained from essence. Cutlass, who lives in the crypts, has to protect them from invaders like Willow, who will use essence to achieve their goals, meaning Cutlass also has to acquire essence to successfully protect the crypts. In addition, both characters are fueled by the rivalry they share.