As someone who has sunk hundreds of hours into both Dark Souls and Demon's Souls, I can tell you a few things with certainty:
1. Dark Souls is tough but fair: there are no one shot kills, you just have low vitality, level that shit up. There are environmental traps all over the place, but there are always hints, perfect example: a bridge filled with burned corpses, probably a dragon doing flybys, watch out for that shit. Is that a slightly raised tile in this trap laden dungeon? Keep your shield up while walking over it, just in case. Check your goddamn corners
2. Dark Souls will not tell you where you need to go outside of cryptic npc conversations, some people love it, some people hate it. Check the wiki if you want the most accepted order for the areas. In that vein, check the wiki anyway, it has lots of useful info about mechanics that admittedly the game does a piss poor job of explaining (im looking at you poise!).
3. Have a character in mind when you start, in this game you can level up whenever you have the currency to do so. Have a few key attributes you want to build up over the course of the game in order to avoid spreading yourself too thin. Do you want a traditional knight who uses longswords but can also cast support miracles? invest in vitality, endurance, strength, and faith. A nimble fencer who excels in ripostes and backstabs? endurance, dexterity, and vitality (always vitality and endurance just as a rule). Maybe you just want a glass cannon mage who can blast enemies with the most powerful magic? pump intelligence and maybe a bit into dex so you can enchant the lighter weapons and do good damage with those too. There are hundreds of forums just dedicated to discussing player builds, both pvp and pve, so you have resources if you need advice.
After reading your most recent post I can see that you understand what keeps a lot of people coming back to Dark Souls, it's fascinating and cryptic lore. The mysteries and item descriptions gradually weave an epic mythology that really gives so many things in the world new meaning. A monstrous boss you'll fight later will be made suddenly tragic, that seemingly useless item will be the key to unlocking new areas. Characters will change and betray you due to your actions. Remember to persist, it isn't about survival, it's about progress.
Sorry for the long post, but I have lots to say when it comes to Dark Souls.
Stay strong, the first run through Dark Souls is one of my most memorable and fun videogame experiences in a long damn time. I'm a bit jealous of you in fact.
Praise the Sun!