I’ve been thinking this from the first chapter and I think there was some sort of flashback in the prior chapter, but the person he is trying to save isn’t himself (which was kind of obvious), but Fiona.
In every loop he has had she may have had some sort of bad end whether she was on the journey with him or not. The only companion he has at this point is her and it doesn’t seem like that will change either. I question if he is trying to save her because he is a hero or if he fell in love with her through the many loops.
I feel like this whole thing with the eyes cements the idea that he is trying to save Fiona. He has hope he can do it, but her eyes say she is resigned to fate (whether she is aware or not). This could lead to interesting things, but above all I hope it doesn’t lead too much tragedy.